UDP to announce its candidate for Shillong LS seat soon

The United Democratic Party, an ally of the National People's Party (NPP) led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, Tuesday said it will announce its candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat on October 31.

The UDP also appealed to the regional allies in the government to support the party candidate.

The central executive committee (CEC) which met here has also accepted the application from two candidates who want to contest the Shillong seat, UDP working president B M Lanong told reporters.

Lanong said the party will finalise the official candidate of the party on October 31.

He said that the UDP intends to let the National Peoples Party to know the intention of the party to have a common candidate for both Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats.

The UDP leader further informed that the party has also decided to approach the other regional political parties which include the Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP), Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) to seek their support for the candidate of the party.

"We would soon have a consultation with them regional political parties on the matter especially the HSPDP is also our partner in the Regional Democratic Alliance," he said.

BJP leader and Meghalaya minister A L Hek said the idea of a common candidate may not work during the Lok Sabha polls.

Lanong admitted that the party cannot stop anyone from fielding candidate but said, "It would be good if there is a mutual understanding among the parties in the government because the stability of the present government is of utmost importance."
He said "We have better chance to win from both the seats if we have common candidates fielded."