SHILLONG, AUG 3: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) on Wednesday asked its Sohiong legislator Samlin Malngiang to make his stand known on whether he would still contest from the party in the upcoming 2023 assembly elections in the state.
The party had already announced its decision to field Medalson Lyngdoh Tongkhar as its official candidate from Mawkyrwat after its sitting legislator and cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar is all set to seek re-election on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket.
Speaking to reporters, HSPDP secretary Panborlang Ryntathiang said that the party leaders had been trying to meet Malngiang but unfortunately he was not available.
“Therefore, we have requested our vice president Martle Mukhim to meet him personally to know whether he will contest from our party or he will leave the party,” he said while adding that everything will be cleared once the meeting is held.
He said as far as Mawkyrwat is concerned, the party has already announced Medalson as its candidate.
On the status of the sitting MLA of Mawkyrwat, Ryntathiang however said, “As of now he (Renikton) is HSPDP MLA but he will not be our candidate from Mawkyrwat in 2023. As a party which is broad minded, we don’t want to take any action since time is too limited.”
“We always wanted our MLAs to stay with the party but you should understand each and every person has got their own choice so we leave it to their wisdom,” he added.
The HSPDP leader said by Renikton’s decision to soon join the UDP, it will not affect the relationship of the two regional political parties under the banner of the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA).
“However, the party will decide whether we will still be part of the RDA or not after the 2023 elections,” he said.
The UDP has been spearheading the need to unify the regional political parties in the state.
On this, HSPDP president KP Pangniang however said to unite the regional political parties under one flag that still needs time.
Asked if the HSPDP will pull out of the RDA, Pangniang said the question of pulling out from the RDA does not arise at all.
“Let us have HSPDP, UDP or any other parties. We want to be part and parcel only in one umbrella or alliance. That is the spirit of the HSPDP from day one when we joined the MDA and had an alliance with the UDP through the RDA,” he said.
Referring to the rumors of Malngiang’s decision to join the ruling NPP, Pangniang said, “We have nothing to say about that but the party will reorganize and rebuild its organization since the HSPDP is one of the oldest regional parties in Meghalaya. MLAs may go and come but the mission of the HSPDP will be to protect the identity of the people of the state.”
Admitting that the NPP and UDP have been indulging in poaching MLAs of coalition partners in the MDA, the HSPDP chief said, “We are going to celebrate 50 years of our statehood. You will see the real character of our leaders or politicians –it creates an historic event that within 50 years of Meghalaya statehood that almost MLAs from each and every party they are trying to jump ship to other parties.”
“However, the HSPDP will stand strong. Since 1968 we established our party and will stand and maintain the principles. Even after 50 years, you will see the HSPDP will move forward to be with the people and not betray them,” he added.
