United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate Eugeneson Lyngdoh today filed his nomination papers for the Mawphlang Assembly by-election.
During the filing of nomination, Lyngdoh was accompanied by Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, KHADC Chief Executive Member Titosstarwell Chyne, UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh, party workers and family members.
Lyngdoh is the son of late legislator SK Sunn, whose death on September 10 necessitated the by-poll.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination, the UDP candidate said that he has decided to hang up his football boots to contest the by-election.
“I don’t think I can juggle two professions at the same time,” Lyngdoh said.
Stating that his days as a professional footballer are effectively over, Lyngdoh said to serve the people as a politician is not an easy task.
“I have taken up this work and I have decided to stop playing football,” he added.
Lyngdoh will be up against two seasoned politicians – Kennedy Khyriem of the Congress and Lamphrang Blah of the National People’s Party.
When asked why did he decided to fight the by-election on a UDP ticket (his father had won the seat as an independent though he later became an ‘associate member of the party), he said that this was the choice of the Mawphlang constituents who had come to his house to show their support for him.
“I have to listen to the voice of the people and I firmly believe that they will be with me,” he added.