Revolt murmurs in UDP over plan to field Rymbai

The largest regional political party in the state, United Democratic Party, is ridden...

The largest regional political party in the state, United Democratic Party (UDP), is ridden with crisis over allocation of party tickets just four months before the Assembly elections. UDP workers in Jirang and Laitumkhrah constituencies are voicing their opposition to allocation of party tickets to those who are from outside the party.

The Jirang UDP circle has threatened to revolt against the party leadership if they allot party ticket to senior Congressman and former Chief Minister J D Rymbai. UDP Jirang circle president R Sumer lashed out at party president Donkupar Roy for his recent remark that Rymbai would be given party ticket to contest from Jirang. “It is incomprehensible as to how the party president could make such a statement when the issue is still unresolved. During his meeting with party office bearers from Jirang on October 4, he did not say anything on the matter, except requesting us to wait till a solution was found,” Sumer said.

He said the autocratic attitude of the party leaders would ruin the electoral prospects of the UDP not only in Ri-Bhoi district but also in the whole state. He said the opinion of the party workers of Jirang constituency should not be overlooked by allocating a ticket to somebody who is not supported by party workers in the constituency.

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He said if the seniors are keen on giving a ticket to Rymbai, the Jirang UDP circle would have no other option but to field its own rival candidate. The UDP party leaders are also facing similar revolt over allocation of party ticket to Ampareen Lyngdoh, sister of Congressman and Education Minister R G Lyngdoh, from Laitumkhrah constituency.

The UDP youth wing president and an aspirant for the party ticket from Laitumkhrah constituency, Malcolm Tariang, said: “ A majority of the party functionaries and supporters had recommended my name for Laitumkhrah constituency, but it was allotted to Lyngdoh.”

He has asked party leaders to clarify as to how Lyngdoh, who was earlier with the Congress, was given the party ticket.

Though the EC’s media invitation did not specify the subject, officials said the briefing would pertain to the SIR schedule. (File)

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