Mawthoh files nomination as MDA common candidate, says no difficulty in winning Shillong seat

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 20, 2019

SHILLONG: United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and candidate for the Shillong parliamentary constituency Dr. Jemino Mawthoh today expressed confidence to win the seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls since the entire MDA is collectively fighting the battle.

Mawthoh, a former Nongthymmai legislator on Tuesday filed his nomination papers as the common candidate of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) contesting on a UDP symbol. He is pitched against two-time opposition Congress MP Vincent H Pala.

He was accompanied by top leaders of MDA coalition partners which include National People’s Party (NPP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).

Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and other cabinet ministers – Sniawbhalang Dhar, Samlin Malngiang and Banteidor Lyngdoh – were also present during the filing of nomination papers at the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office.

After filing his nomination papers, Mawthoh said, “I am fighting this election on the strength of the MDA. Since we have come collectively together as an MDA government minus the BJP, we will definitely ensure victory this time.”

With the Shillong seat being a strong bastion of the opposition Congress for the past many years, the UDP leader however said that he doesn’t see much difficulty (in winning) because all the regional parties are coming together.

Compared to the vote share of the Congress during the last district council elections, the total vote share of all regional parties including UDP, NPP, PDF, HSPDP and Independents if combine together is 10-20 times more, he said.

Stating that it is wrong and misleading to say that people should only vote for national parties in the Lok Sabha polls, Mawthoh reminded that Prof GG Swell who was from the regional party had performed exceedingly well in parliament.

“If you say that only national party should represent I say this is very wrong because GG Swell has proved that he is capable of doing a lot for the welfare of the people of the state whereas these MPs of the Congress have not made anything which is outstanding as far as the state is concerned,” he said adding “With the support and backing of the MDA, I can be the link man between the Centre and state as the centre-state relation is very important.”

Asked, the former legislator admitted that questions have been raised about him contesting from the UDP symbol despite being an MDA common candidate and said, “See you need to understand the sincerity and commitment of our coalition partners also we have come together as a family so whether you contest from any symbol that is not an issue. If I contest from a common symbol it would be as good as contesting as an independent candidate.”

“The UDP is contesting from Shillong and NPP from Tura but we are together in this fight as an MDA family so that is the beauty of this politics that we are observing now in the state of Meghalaya,” he said.

On the allegation of the Congress that the NPP and UDP are being controlled by the BJP, Mawthoh however said this is a coalition era and yes the present government is having two BJP MLAs but that does not mean “we have political relations with the BJP”.

“We never had pre-poll alliance with the BJP and in this MP elections, all parties have come together minus the BJP so people need to understand that the Congress has nothing else to speak against this MDA government that is why they keep on harping about the BJP connect with the MDA,” he defended.