SHILLONG: Nongkrem constituency, which has so far been HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit’s stronghold, is slipping out of the party’s hands as UDP is gaining popularity, said H.S Shylla on Monday.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, the MDC from Nongkrem said HSPDP’s strong presence in the constituency is a thing of the past and that UDP’s presence is increasing by the day.
On being asked if he would contest the 2018 elections from the constituency, Shylla said he is ready provided the party finalises his candidature from the constituency.
UDP is likely to finalise the name of the candidate for Nongkrem by March 31, he added.
The MDC said on February 7, “a massive crowd in Nongkrem will protest against the intrusion of MUDA in Nongrkrem”, a move that was supported by Basaiawmoit.
Shylla had won from the constituency twice, in 1988 and 1993. This time, it will be an interesting contest between HSPDP and UDP as Basaiawmoit won the seat in two consecutive elections.
But UDP has made its presence felt after Shylla won the by-election to Nongkrem district council seat last year.
