Former MLA George Lyngdoh has decided to run as an independent in the upcoming Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) election after support for him in the Umroi Constituency Progressive Forum (UCPF) fell through.
Many of the top brass in the UCPF have decided to support the candidature of MD Syiem, who joined the Congress Party recently and was named as that party’s candidate for the Umroi seat. In a further twist, Arbinus Lyngdoh, who felt snubbed by the Congress, has decided to support George’s candidacy.
George Lyngdoh has been backed by the group called the Umroi Democratic Front (UDF). It held a meeting today at Umroi Umdohbyrthih where the decision was formalised. Attendees included those in Arbinus’s camp from the Congress and UCPF members who do not support Syiem.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, George Lyngdoh explained that his candidacy was necessitated by Syiem’s refusal of the UCPF ticket and the Congress Party’s decision to award the ticket to Syiem instead of Arbinus Lyngdoh. He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from Arbinus and his team.
Meanwhile, Arbinus stated that his decision to support George stemmed from the Congress’s denial of a ticket. He said that he had worked to strengthen the Congress in Umroi constituency and across Ri-Bhoi and the party’s decision to refuse him a ticket was a disappointment.
