From Our Correspondent
MAWKYRWAT, Aug 24: UDP president and former Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh emphasised on inclusivity while asserting that the party does not belong to a president or to any one person — it belongs to the majority voice.
The UDP South West Khasi Hills District held its general meeting here on Saturday to elect new office bearers for the 2025–2029 term. Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein was elected president, while Jeslanroy Nongsiej, the UDP candidate in the recently concluded MDC election from Mawkyrwat constituency, was elected general secretary.
The new office-bearers were formally confirmed by UDP Central Body President, Metbah Lyngdoh, in the presence of senior UDP leaders, including Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton L. Tongkhar, former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Titosstarwell Chyne, UDP Ranikor Circle President GG Bung Snaitang, and other dignitaries.
He expressed satisfaction that the election of office bearers was unanimous. He assured party workers and supporters from both Mawkyrwat and Ranikor constituencies that ticket distribution for future elections would not be influenced by any individual.
Speaking on the occasion, Lyngdoh noted that the UDP’s working style is based on consultation and collective decision-making.
“If decisions are dictated solely by the president, that is wrong. Such political parties will exist only temporarily and will not last long. We cannot justify ourselves by claiming that everything we say is right and others’ opinions are wrong—even a family of just a father and mother will collapse without understanding. Therefore, we need consultation, coordination, and suggestions from everyone within the party to move it forward,” he stated.
Other office bearers of the UDP South West Khasi Hills District include Trelling Marwein and Premus Thongni as advisers, Narayan Thongni and FD Ramsiej as working presidents, Kross Nongbsaw and Kal D Shira as vice presidents, and G Thongni and S Marbaniang as joint secretaries.
