SHILLONG:
United Democratic Party (UDP) chief adviser and former deputy chief minister Bindo M Lanong on January 20 predicted that the party will not even win 10 seats in the upcoming assembly elections to be held on February 27, and termed the party’s claim of 30 plus seats as figment of imagination.
“I don’t think they will get even 10 seats. I can predict not even 10. Had it been with me there together, we could have reached 15-16 but 30 seats I think is a figment of imagination,” Bindo Lanong, who is also a nominated MDC of the KHADC, told reporters.
The veteran leader has decided to contest as an independent candidate after the UDP’s decision to allot a party ticket to the sitting legislator from Nongkrem constituency Lambor Malngiang.
He further said that most of the leaders in the UDP are not qualified to lead the state.
“Many of them are not qualified to lead the state. Therefore, business people should concentrate on business,” Lanong added.
When asked, the UDP chief adviser said that people will teach the leaders of the party a good lesson.
“They (leaders) cannot handle their own home; they will handle the state. If they can’t take care of their own home – the UDP, how will they take care of the state?” he asked.
Criticizing the party for favouring business people while allotting party tickets, he said, “Quite a number of business people have come to the UDP. From Umsning a businessman, even here in Nongkrem constituency and in many other places also. You throw out a disciplined soldier. I am a disciplined soldier.”
“The name of the UDP comparatively in the past and present will speak for itself. Those who have eyes let them see, those who have ears let them listen and hear. UDP is no longer the party that I have expected to be. I did not expect the UDP to be like this,” he expressed regrets.