SHILLONG, Nov 10: United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh has denied any infighting in the party leadership over the selection of candidates for the Assembly elections.
He admitted there is a problem in the UDP’s Nongkrem circle after senior party leader Bindo Mathew Lanong wanted to contest from the Nongkrem seat but said it is a minor issue.
Stating that Lanong expressed concern over various issues, the UDP president said the party’s State Election Committee (SEC) would dwell on the points raised by the senior party leader.
He said the party leaders and members of the circle and district committee would decide the Nongkrem candidate. “The final decision on the allotment of party ticket will be decided by the SEC,” the UDP president said.
Earlier, sitting Independent MLA from Nongkrem Lambor Malngiang had announced that he would be the UDP’s candidate from the seat.
“There are many MLAs keen on contesting the polls on the UDP’s ticket but no decision has been made on the allotment of party tickets,” he said.
Lyngdoh said the UDP would soon release the first list of its candidates for around 40 constituencies.
Stating that the party’s Core Committee is scheduled to meet in the next few days, he said, “We have almost reached a consensus for the party candidates for around 40 constituencies but the final decision will be taken by the SEC.”
He said the first list would have the names of a majority of the sitting MLAs and MDCs besides some prominent individuals who had applied for party tickets.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh said the UDP is not going to forge a pre-poll alliance with any political party.
“But we will try to have some kind of understanding with the HSPDP as in the last Assembly polls. We are in discussions with the HSPDP. We will decide if there are constituencies where they can work together or have some understanding,” Lyngdoh said.
He said the UDP is working on a manifesto that is comprehensive and realistic to deal with the core issues and problems afflicting the state and its people.
He said the party’s manifesto committee has been assigned to seek the views of stakeholders on issues, which should be included in the manifesto. He said the UDP is also seeking the views of party leaders in this regard.
“We will not prepare a bulky manifesto. We will have a manifesto which will give a gist on what the party intends to do for the people of the state,” Lyngdoh said.
He said the party would cover all the important issues in the manifesto and try to address them in the next five years if voted to power.
