For all its talk about forming the next government, the longest serving United Democratic Party (UDP) member, Bindo Lanong, does not foresee the party winning more than 10 seats in the February 27 election.
Addressing a press conference today, Lanong said that the present UDP leadership was wrong to choose Lambor Malngiang, the sitting Nongkrem MLA, as its candidate for that seat as he does not have firm convictions having jumped from party to party in the past.
He also confirmed his intention to run as an independent but said that he will not split from the party or form a new one as the UDP is his “baby”.
“I don’t think they (the UDP) will get even 10 seats. I can predict not even 10,” Lanong said. “Had it been with me there together, we could have reached 15-16 but 30 seats I think is a figment of imagination.”
Bitter about being sidelined by the party, the former Deputy Chief Minister has been willing to criticise his fellow party members, at least those who have, or who he believes, have stabbed him in the back.
“Many of them are not qualified to lead the state. They cannot handle their own home but they will handle the state? If they can’t take care of their own home, the UDP, how will they take care of the state?” he asked.
‘Businessmen allotted party tickets through scam’
The gloves are totally off for Bindo Lanong in his fight with the leadership of the United Democratic Party (UDP), with the veteran politician criticising the number of businessmen in the party.
Lanong today flayed UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh (himself a businessman) and general secretary Jemino Mawthoh for giving preference to businessmen and termed it a ticket scam.
“You threw out a disciplined soldier of the party,” Lanong said, describing himself. “Whether it is in Umsning, Nongkrem or any other places, the election committee engaged in a ticket allotment scam.”
Lanong had wanted to run for the Nongkrem seat but the UDP chose incumbent MLA Lambor Malngiang, who only joined the party this week.
