MDA to field Jemino Mawthoh for Shillong parliamentary seat

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 11, 2019

SHILLONG: The ruling Meghalaya Democratic Allaince (MDA) has unanimously decided to field United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and former Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh as its common candidate for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from Shillong parliamentary seat.

This came a day after the Election Commission of India announced the elections for the two parliamentary seats – Shillong and Tura – which will be held on April 11.

The meeting of the MDA held on Monday evening was attended by chief minister Conrad K Sangma besides leaders of the different political parties who are coalition partners in the government.

“We have unanimously decided that Mawthoh will be the common candidate of the MDA for the Shillong seat,” UDP supremo Donkupar Roy told reporters after the meeting.

He however said it was also agreed that Mawthoh will be contesting on the UDP symbol.

Asked, Roy said that the common candidate for the Tura parliamentary seat will be from the National People’s Party (NPP).

Stating that MDA will gear up its preparation for the LS polls, the UDP chief said, “We are determined to win both the Shillong and Tura seat.”

The Shillong seat is presently represented by opposition Congress MP Vincent H Pala while Tura seat is lying vacant following the resignation of Conrad K Sangma after winning the South Tura bye-election last year.

It may be mentioned here that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is one of coalition partners of the MDA, has recently announced its decision to contest the LS polls on its own by fielding candidates for both the seats in Meghalaya.

When sought for his comment on the matter, the UDP chief however said that nobody can contest against the regional parties if they are combined together.

“We are 100 percent to win both the seats since we have many MLAs, MDCs and party workers,” Roy added.

Meanwhile, the NPP is yet to announce the party candidate for the Tura seat though sources informed that the party is likely to again field Agatha K Sangma, who is the former MP of the constituency.