After its decision not to field a candidate from Ranikor constituency for the upcoming Assembly elections, the NPP now has only 57 candidates out of the 60 seats.
It may be mentioned that former Assembly Speaker Martin M. Danggo who was earlier named as the NPP candidate from Ranikor left the party at the last minute and joined the BJP.
On February 2, the NPP Ranikor Block held a meeting at Rangthong and decided to forward the names of Nelbi T. Sangma and Kitborlang Nongrem to the State election committee of the party to decide who among them would replace Danggo.
However, on February 3, the NPP in a meeting attended by national party president Conrad Sangma and vice president Prestone Tynsong decided not to contest from Ranikor constituency.
It may be mentioned that the NPP has also decided not to contest from Mairang and South Shillong.
Assembly Speaker and UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh and cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai of BJP are seeking reelection from the two seats respectively.