UDP to retain Shella seat: Brolding

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 24, 2019

SHILLONG: UDP leader and cabinet minister H Brolding Nongsiej has expressed confidence that the party would retain the Shella seat in the upcoming bye election slated to be held on October 21. 

The United Democratic Party is fielding Balajied Kupar Synrem, son of former Assembly Speaker and longest serving legislator of Shella late Dr Donkupar Roy, who passed away on July 28, as its candidate. 

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Nongsiej said he is sure that the people of Shella constituency would give the party’s official candidate a chance to complete the five-year-term.

He recalled that the people of Nongstoin had made a driver, who was a close confidant of late Hopingstone Lyngdoh had won the bye-election and said, “I am confident that the people of Shella also desire that the son of their late leader should complete the task from where his father had left.” 

Moreover, the minister said the chief minister Conrad K Sangma had also maintained that the National People’s Party would not set up candidate as a mark of respect to the Dr Donkupar Roy, the architect of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.

“If the UDP and NPP work together, I have no doubt that we will win the upcoming bye election,” he said. 

The UDP has also sought the support of all MDA partners. However, some of the coalition partners have expressed their interest in contesting the upcoming Shella by poll. 

When asked, Nongsiej however said the UDP will not stop other political parties from fielding candidates for the bye election. “May be with their participation, it will help the UDP to easily win the seat,” he added.