In a major setback to the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Ri-Bhoi, more than 120 party members, including top local leaders, quit and have decided to support Umsning MDC Macdalye Sawkmie Mawlong if she contests the 2023 Assembly election.
Mawlong won her seat on a People’s Democratic Front (PDF) ticket at the last district council election in 2019 but the rumour is that she will contest the 2023 state polls on a National People’s Party (NPP) ticket.
In a boost to her hypothetical campaign, the UDP members quit their party after a meeting held at Ïewmawlong Dorbar Hall here.
These members included the UDP Ri-Bhoi general secretary Lawrence Nongrum, district vice-president Rayonald Kharkamni, district youth wing president Sumarlang Swer, among others.
Kharkamni, Nongrum and Swer said their decision was taken because the UDP has no future in Ri-Bhoi and the party’s central leadership has done nothing to build the party in the district.
