The United Democratic Party (UDP) has not made a decision on its allocation of party tickets for next year’s state elections.
This was stated by UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh today when asked by Highland Post about the resignation of several members of the party’s Mawkyrwat unit.
The resignations were brought about as the party workers were unhappy about allotting the UDP ticket for the Mawkyrwat seat to cabinet minister and sitting MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, who is of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) but who is reportedly looking to make a switch.
Mawthoh said today that the process of selection and identification of candidates to contest for the UDP has not been finalised.
“When no decision has been taken by the party, the [UDP members] should not have reacted like that since nothing is finalised,” he said, adding that the party has to follow certain procedures where it has to listen to the recommendations and views at the constituency level followed by the district level party and state election committee.
The UDP is confident that several other sitting MLAs will want to join the fold before the elections.
“Not only Tongkhar but many sitting MLAs, like PT Sawkmie, Lambor Malngiang and others from different political parties have expressed their inclination to contest from the UDP in 2023 but the party will take a final call and procedures have to be followed,” Mawthoh added.
However, the UDP will not accept anyone who wants a ticket. “Many are inclined to contest from the UDP but this does not mean that the party will welcome everyone. We have to look at different criteria for selection of candidates because the stakes are high and we are not only considering winnability but the integrity of a person, sincerity to serve and willingness to abide by party principles.”
