United Democratic Party (UDP) leaders, including the party president and Speaker of the Assembly, Metbah Lyngdoh, today visited the village of Damas in North Garo Hills to campaign for the regional outfit’s candidate, Elberth Marak, ahead of Monday’s Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
Marak is in a pitched battle against Dolly K Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP), Ferdinand D Shira of the Congress and Lakitha D Shira of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Various other leaders of the UDP, including Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein, Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) Titosstarwell Chyne, senior leader and former MLA BG Momin, were also part of the programme.
The party leaders sought to dispel the idea that the UDP is a Khasi-Jaiñtia party by emphasizing that its roots were actually sown in Garo Hills.
“You have voted for national parties and have seen the consequences. Let us lead the GHADC and see what changes we can bring,” said Marwein.
“Give the UDP the mandate in the GHADC. Do you think the Congress or the NPP will be able to run the GHADC? You have given them the opportunity to lead and they cannot even pay their employees. We have been running the KHADC for over a year without any hitch,” said Chyne during his speech.
“We have heard a lot about the problems of the GHADC and it pains me, despite me not being Garo. There have been many bad statements made about our candidate, Elberth Marak, but I promise you all that if he wins, we will ensure he works for Garo Hills and Damas in particular,” said Lyngdoh.
Meanwhile at Ampati, party stalwarts, Bindo Lanong and UDP General Secretary, Jemino Mawthoh, attended another rally to seek support for their candidates of Boldamgre and Nogorpara constituencies in South West Garo Hills. The UDP candidates for the two constituencies are Helwitson Marak (Boldamgre) and Mijon Marak (Nogorpara).
