UDP announces first list of 26 candidates for KHADC, JHADC polls, Lyngdoh says party to seek votes based on performance

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 13, 2024

The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Friday announced its first list of 26 candidates for the upcoming elections to the two autonomous district councils (ADCs) in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.

Of this, 16 candidates will be contesting the KHADC polls and 10 for JHADC.  

Speaking to media persons after chairing the general council meeting, UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh said that the party is gearing up its preparation for the upcoming ADC polls.

“Today, we have declared the first list of candidates after thorough screening based on the recommendation and proposal given by the different constituencies,” he said.

Stating that the second list of candidates is likely to be announced before Christmas, Lyngdoh said, “We will try to ensure that we field candidates from all 29 seats in each of the two ADCs – KHADC and JHADC.”

“However, we are waiting for the names as there are few constituencies that are in the process (of recommending the same),” he added.

The UDP has decided not to go for pre-poll alliance with the RDA partner – the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) this time by fighting the MDC elections on its own.

Lyngdoh while addressing the general council meeting had pointed out that the party has learned from its past mistakes especially during the 2024 MP elections.

Asked on this, the UDP chief said, “In politics or anything, be it in life also we will face lot of challenges, lots of ups and down but those are the lessons, those are the experiences that you have had in your journey and thereafter you have to take a call, accepting the fact that there are ups and downs, there are few things which you could not succeed. So in those areas, you have to focus and fight that.”

Further, Lyngdoh expressed confidence that the party will perform well in the upcoming elections considering the fact that it has done many good things when it was leading the executive committee in the KHADC.

“(Our EC) have taken up a lot of important issues, which have been materialized and now becoming laws to safeguards the interest of the local indigenous people,” he said adding “Today in the general council meeting, we have decided to go back to the people based on issues and performance that we have done during our tenure of the UDP-led EC in the KHADC.”

On the other hand, Lyngdoh said that he does not see that the VPP wave will have any impact in the upcoming ADCs polls.

“Based on what, if people say B party or A party will sweep based on what? You should have some ground to claim that right and people also should have some ground to claim that and people should have some ground to talk about that, based on what? Now, we have the right to claim that UDP will sweep this time based on performance and we have shared today publicly what we have done and we have shared it through our own people in our conference, which I’m very sure people will one day read to go through all the details of this performance. I am pretty sure that people will definitely if those who have not changed their mind from other parties will definitely change their mind this time,” he said.

The 16 candidates for the KHADC polls are: Desmond KL Mawlong – Nongthymmai, Mitchel Wankhar – Laban-Mawprem, James Ban Basaiawmoit – Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, Auguster Jyrwa -Jaiaw, Titosstarwell Chyne – Sohra, Barikupar Synrem – Shella, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah – Mawphlang – Diengiei, Naphistista Marwein – Umroi, Mawhati – James Sylliang, Eddie G Karbani – Umsning, Nongpoh – Balajied Ranee, Pius Marwein – Largrin, Jessland Roy Nongsiej – Mawkyrwat, Sranly Rongrin – Mawshynrut, Equator Nongrang – Mairang – Nongkhlaw, Jambor War – Pariong – Mawthadrashan.

The 10 candidates for the JHADC polls are  Lomris Lyngdoh – Muthlong-Sohkymphor, Joinriwell Pyrtuh – Bataw Lakadong, Lasky Rymbai – Tuber-Wapung Shnong, Finelynes Bareh – Rymbai-Khliehriat, Rollinson Dkhar – Sutnga-Narwan, Eleazer C Dkhar -Shiliangmyntang, Winning Garland Sungoh-Mowkaiaw, Fernando Sumer – Saphai, Riio Sten – Barato-Mukroh, Marki Mulieh – Jowai-North.