NONGSTOIN: Nongstoin Independent Political Group (NIPG), a newly-formed association of independent people owing no allegiance to any political party, has announced the name of Tlidingstone Wanniang as their candidate for the February 24 district council elections to the KHADC from Nongstoin constituency.
The announcement was made at a meeting held at the Dorbar Hall of the Hima Nongstoin at Nongstoin. The meeting was attended by several party workers of the HSPDP, UDP and NPP.
During the meeting, NIPG claimed to be supporters of Late David Hamar Marwein, a former political stalwart from Nongstoin.
Addressing the gathering, Wanniang said he used to be an ardent supporter of the HSPDP, but claimed that the local MDC of Nongstoin LG Nongseij had remained silent during the recent ILP imbroglio in the State which had an adverse effect on his (Wanniang) allegiance to the party.
Wanniang also questioned the MDC’s silence on the Sec 144 CrPC order that was imposed on sand mining from the river beds and the crushing of stones from stone quarries in the district. He said most of the people of West Khasi Hills were essentially labourers and depended solely on daily wages that were derived from these mines.
Wanniang briefly outlined his manifesto saying his chief aim would be to form various committees to tackle problems related to land, education, health, development and the smooth functioning of the Syiemship. He added that these functions would be carried out in a clean and transparent manner.
Wanniang was earlier elected as an MDC in 1998 from Nongstoin constituency on an HSPDP ticket. Over the years, he abandoned the HSPDP and joined various political parties but failed to make a comeback.