MAWKYRWAT: The NPP is witnessing dissidence in Ranikor where its leaders have decided to join the UDP and support Pius Marwein instead of Martin M Danggo in the upcoming by-poll.
The NPP leaders in Ranikor are annoyed with the party leadership’s decision to dissolve the block committee without consulting them.
NPP state president WR Kharlukhi dissolved the Ranikor Block Committee on June 12 after Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced that the administrative block in South West Khasi Hills will be upgraded to civil sub-division.
A new committee was formed and leaders of the Ranikor Block Congress Committee were appointed.
The disgruntled NPP leaders, who will join UDP on July 18, said only the regional party with its “strong vote bank” can defeat five-time MLA Danggo.
R Bahunlang Sanglein, secretary of the UDP youth wing and media cell in Ranikor, said the change in allegiance was because the local Congress leaders “did not respect” those from NPP.
Those who will join UDP include NPP block committee general secretary Robertson Basan, vice presidents Blosswell Lyngkhoi and Somor Sangma, assistant secretaries Fairlin Myrthong and Everson Marak, public secretaries Brosstar Pariong and Sales Sangma, organising secretary Neverjone Thongni and spokesperson Bralin Marwein.
“They (the NPP leaders) also informed that from the old team of the NPP Ranikor Block, president C Shangdiar and adviser Baldwis will not join the UDP,” Sanglein said.
UDP will hold a meeting on July 18 at Nongnah village to welcome the leaders as well as the supporters of NPP.
Earlier on July 8, the NPP and the UDP leaders held a meeting at Nongnah. The UDP candidate for the by-poll was also present.
