SHILLONG, JUNE 28: Leaders of the different political parties in Ranikor have decided to put up a common candidate to give a tough fight to the former legislator Martin M Danggo in the upcoming bye-election to the constituency.
The decision was taken at the first meeting convened by the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) to discuss on the matter in the city held here on Thursday.
The political parties include National People’s Party (NPP), United Democratic Party (UDP), Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP), Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress.
The bye-election was necessitated following the recent resignation of Danggo as member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly after the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government’s decision to upgrade the Ranikor Administrative Unit into a full-fledged Civil Sub-division.
Danggo, a five-time legislator and also a former senior Congress leader, is all set to formally join the ruling NPP to seek re-election from Ranikor.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PDF chairman PN Syiem said that the leaders and supporters of the different political parties are favouring the idea to come up with a common candidate for the upcoming Ranikor by poll.
“We have also decided that the common candidate will be from the People’s Democratic Front with an aim to ensure there is all round development in the constituency especially in term of connectivity, education and health,” he said.
Not denying that he is being projected as the common candidate, Syiem, who is also the KHADC chief said, “The matter is still in the discussion stage and the final decision will be officially declared at a meeting to be held at Ranikor in the second week of next month.”
Prior to this, he said that meetings to discuss on the proposal will be held at Rangthong, Wahkaji, and Nongjri.
On the UDP’s decision to also join the fray, the PDF leader however said, “The UDP should review its decision in view that many of its supporters from the constituency are fully supporting the idea of a consensus candidate.”
Asked, Syiem said the resignation of the former Ranikor MLA over the demand for a civil sub-division is just a political drama. “The demand for a civil sub-division or a block is the duty and responsibility of a legislator and also leaders who are not public representatives. If every time a civil sub-division is given you have to resign as MLA then how many bye-elections we are going to have.”
To another query, the PDF chairman said that there will be no political ramification in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance since everybody is free to contest the bye-election.
On the other hand, BJP leader from Ranikor Pelcy Snaitang, who had unsuccessfully contested the Assembly polls held earlier this year, said that she had already informed the party that she will not be contesting the upcoming bye-election.
“There has been no instruction from the party leadership to support anybody but we have decided to support a common candidate for the by poll,” she said adding that if the party issues such instruction, they would sit and decide on their future course of action.
By Our Reporter
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