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Meghalaya: Former CM urges voters to elect UDP |
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Former Meghalaya Chief Minister E.K. Mawlong on Feb 16 appealed to people to elect on March 3 the United Democratic Party (UDP) as the single largest party in the State to bring in a stable government. Mawlong said people were fed up with “the lack of governance” by the Congress-led government in the State. He said the other regional parties like the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP), the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), were insignificant.Mawlong, the UDP candidate from Umroi in Ri Bhoi district, hoped that the people would elect the party’s nominees from all four Assembly seats in the district. As the UDP and the Congress fight for the lion’s share of the electoral pie, the district will witness a contest between high profile candidates. While Mawlong is contesting from Umroi, another former Chief Minister, J.D. Rymbai, is contesting from Jirang on the UDP ticket. He will take on Congress candidate William Mynsong. UDP candidate Celestine Lyngdoh, a physician, is pitted against Chief Minister D.D. Lapang at Nongpoh. UDP candidate Donbok Khymdeit is up against Deputy Speaker and Congress candidate P.W. Muktieh in Mawhati.There are 341 candidates in the fray after the scrutiny of nominations on Feb 16. The nominations of eight “dummy” candidates were rejected. Two KHNAM candidates also withdrew their nominations.
Sengran Sangma, a Congress candidate and sitting legislator from Baghmara in South Garo Hills district, died of cancer at his residence in Shillong on Saturday. The Election Commission will notify elections to the constituency with a revised schedule. The notification is expected before March 3. The Congress will have to select a new candidate within seven days of the fresh notification.
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