United Democratic Party (UDP) President Metbah Lyngdoh has informed that the party will contest at least eight seats in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections in April.
Lyngdoh informed that the UDP has so far announced candidates for three GHADC seats. The three candidates are Diana N Marak from Wagesik, Jadush M Sangma from Ringrikimgre and Devier M Sangma from Gasuapara.
The names of the other candidates will be announced in the next few days.
“We are yet to finalise the names of the remaining candidates since the party is in the process of screening the documents that they have submitted,” the UDP President said.
Lyngdoh also said that during this visit to Garo Hills last month he found that there is a “vacuum” of regional parties there.
“People are looking for a regional party there. The only regional party that exists now in the entire state [is the UDP]. I think this is the right time for us to step in there,” he stated. “When I went to Bahgmara the response was overwhelming and unexpected.”
He said that the party will work very hard to see that their candidates come out with flying colours.
When asked if the UDP will be accepted in Garo Hills even though it is Khasi Hills-based, Lyngdoh said that this is now in the past.
“They (the people of Garo Hills) have been supporting the national parties all the time but they have not seen any good outcome, so it is up to the people of Garo Hills this time to see that they have to turn to the regional parties,” he added.
