SHILLONG:
The United Democratic Party (UDP) chief Metbah Lyngdoh said that four to five legislators of other political parties are ready to join the party and their names will be revealed at an appropriate time.
“All of them finalising things as due process has to be followed,” he said, adding that “if everything goes well”, the party will contest from all the 60 seats.
Lyngdoh also informed that the state election committee (SEC) of the party will be constituted within a week or two and candidates for the 2023 elections, which includes sitting legislators of other political parties, too will be finalised soon.
“The SEC will go as per the process because we have to finalise some of the candidates which we already have in mind and which have been in consultation with senior leaders of the party from a few constituencies,” he said.
On issue related to Nongkrem constituency where UDP chief adviser Bindo M Lanong and sitting MLA Lambor Malngiang are fighting for a party ticket, Lyngdoh said that “this is an internal matter, we will sort it out.”
Lyngdoh further maintained that the UDP has always raised its voice on critical issues concerning the people and the state, despite being a key ally of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.
“If you recall, we already raised our voice (on many issues) though we are part of the government. We will not be the reason for any instability in the government because development and instability don’t go together and if the latter occurs, the people of the state will suffer,” he said.
Lyngdoh also informed that the party office is likely to be completed in April –May.
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