United Democratic Party (UDP) to field Pius Marwein at Ranikor

A Reporter

SHILLONG, July 19: As the issue of by-election to Ranikor Assembly constituency gains momentum, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has finally decided to project Pius Marwein as the ‘common candidate’ for the bye-polls. “We decided to put our faith on Pius Marwein to contest the bye-election as the common candidate. We are of the view that he (Marwein) has a better chance as compared to the PDF chief,” UDP senior leader Jemino Mawthoh informed here. This decision has come as a major setback to the People Democratic Front (PDF) chief Pynshngaiñ Nanda Syiem who was hoping to get the support of the UDP in projecting him as the common candidate. However the PDF leader despite the setback will content the by-election.

Mawthoh, meanwhile further observed that the party have arrived to this decision since majority were of the view that it would very difficult for the PDF chief to contest the election due to time constraints.

“We must also not forget that he (Marwein) had lost the elections to former Ranikor legislator, Martin M Danggo by a narrow margin,” Mawthoh said.

The UDP senior leader said that the party is open to have an understanding with the PDF in next year’s Autonomous District Councils elections.