Meghalaya's UDP names Paul Lyngdoh for Lok Sabha poll

Meghalaya's opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) has nominated its working president and legislator Paul Lyngdoh for the Lok Sabha election here but two regional parties are opposing his candidature.

The Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) have refused to support Lyngdoh, but the National People's Party has promised to support the UDP nominee.

"The party has unanimously accepted that Lyngdoh should be the candidate for the parliamentary elections. We have sought the support of other regional parties like the HSPDP and the KHNAM, but both have proposed other candidates to replace Lyngdoh. However, it is not possible to accept their proposal," UDP president Donkupar Roy told IANS.

Top UDP leaders held several consultations with the HSPDP and KHNAM leaders to garner support for Lyngdoh as the common candidate from the Shillong parliamentary constituency.

The UDP president said talks with the two parties would continue in the days ahead to ensure that Lyngdoh receives their support.

Both HSPDP and KHNAM have instead proposed former deputy chief minister Bindo M. Lanong or legislator Jemino Mawthoh in place of Lyngdoh. Both Lanong and Mawthoh belong to the UDP.

"It is difficult for us to replace Lyngdoh since the UDP had been projecting the legislator's candidature for the past few months, and moreover, according to the assessment done by the party, he (Lyngdoh) has a better chance of winning compared to other candidates," Roy said.