NONGPOH:
More than 5000 supporters of the Umsning Constituency People’s Forum (UCPF) along with its president, Sunshine Makri, joined the United Democratic Party on August 27.
It may be mentioned that on July 26, UCPF took a decision during a general meeting that they will support the UDP and also nominated Sunshine Makri as their aspirant candidate for the 2023 elections.
Metbah Lyngdoh, Assembly Speaker, Jemino Mawthoh, General Secretary UDP central body, Pius Marwein, Ranikor MLA, Balajied Synrem, Shella MLA, along with office bearers of the central body and district unit and officials from the UCPF were present at the welcoming programme.
At the programme, Makri urged the supporters of UCPF to work hard as UDP members and not UCPF members to make sure that he gets a ticket from the party. “You have chosen me before on July 26 and there will be many ups and downs in politics, but I ask you to be strong and help me serve you,” he appealed.
Former KHADC CEM and UDP leader Rangkynsai Makdoh congratulated Makri and UCPF for joining the UDP and hoped that Makri will be the candidate for the upcoming elections. “I request the UCPF to stand firm and dedicated towards the UDP and we will make sure that Makri will get a ticket and win 2023 elections.”
Meanwhile, the Ranikor MLA said, “Be it UDP or UCPF, we need you (supporters) to win at least 30 seat the elections. With your support, we can achieve the changes that we have been dreaming for many years.” Â He also mentioned that there are many sitting MLA who will soon join the party and will contest with the party ticket in the upcoming elections.
Veteran leader Mawthoh said UDP is sure to win the majority with growing numbers of supporters and other veteran politician of the state joining the party.
He said the UDP won only 6 seats in the 2018 Assembly Elections but after the by-election, the party gained 2 more seats. “Congress has been destroyed and many Congress leaders joined  the UDP because they understood that they made a mistake, therefore the only hope to bring about changes in the state is to give UDP a chance to form a single government,’’ Mawthoh said. “ But for that, we need your support,” he added.
The Assembly Speaker also expressed gratitude towards the leaders and supporters of UCPF. “I want each one of you to multiply by three so that we will win the elections. The party will not let you down, instead, we will grant your wish. Sooner or later, we will finalise the name of the candidate for the next elections and we will let you know the name of the candidate,” he said giving assurance to the crowd.
He however said it is not the right time to declare the name of the candidate as the UDP state election committee will have a meeting and then take the decision, adding that the UDP is the party of the people where the candidate will be nominated by the people.