Paul Lyngdoh files nomination for ADC polls

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 7, 2019

SHILLONG: United Democratic Party leader and former legislator of West Shillong Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday said his decision to contest the February 27-ADC polls, was to address the ‘leadership crisis’ and restore the dignity of the district council.

“The autonomous district councils in the state are facing a lot of leadership crisis and this is one of the main reasons that I decided to contest in this upcoming elections,” Lyngdoh told reporters after filing his nomination papers from Jaiaw constituency under the KHADC.

Stating that the performances of the ADCs were also not up to the mark, the UDP senior working president said, “There is need to restore the dignity of the district council.”

Lyngdoh, a former Khasi Students’ Union chief, also emphasized the importance for the new executive committee to work in close coordination with the state government.

It may be mentioned here that the former three-time legislator had lost his West Shillong seat when he was defeated by the opposition Congress MLA Mohendro Rapsang during the 2018-elections to the State Assembly.

The Congress has fielded Auguster Jyrwa, who is also a former KSU general secretary, for the seat, which is presently represented by the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) MDC Adelbert Nongrum for the past 10 years.

Asked, Lyngdoh however said that the Jaiaw constituency needs a leader who is matured and experience and he being in the KSU for 10 years and a former legislator for 15 years can contribute a lot in the district council.

On the other, the UDP leader said that his defeat in the 2018 elections was due to the “vote bank politics” as the non-tribal population would only vote for national parties. He lamented that the non-tribal have become deciding factor in the elections although they are minority in the state.

Whether he is supporting the Bill related to the implementation of the Inner Line Permit passed by the KHADC, Lyngdoh said that he appreciated the KHADC for doing its duty but ideally speaking ILP has to be implemented by the state government.

Lyngdoh, who is also the Co-Chairman of the State Level Public Grievances Committee (SLPGC), had on Wednesday sought the intervention of the chief minister Conrad K Sangma for implementation of the ILP system to check influx and illegal immigration into the state.

He also reminded that the demand was also reiterated by members of the UDP, NPP, HSPDP and the GNC on the floor of the Assembly through an Adjournment Motion in 2013.

Meanwhile, Lyngdoh denied that his decision to contest the MDC elections was after he was not given ticket by the UDP to contest the Lok Sabha elections.