United Democratic Party (UDP) fields Balajied Synrem for Shella byelection

A Reporter

SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP) which is a partner in the MDA government has already announced Balajied Synrem as its candidate for the seat. Balajied Synrem is son of former MLA of Shella constituency late Dr Donkupar Roy.

Dr Roy represented Shella as its MLA for seven consecutive terms since the year 1988. He passed away on August 28, 2019. At that time, he was the Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.

However, a day after the date for the by-election at Shella constituency was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) which is to be held on October 21, there is uncertainty within the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition government as to whether the partners from other parties will support a consensus candidate or field their own candidates as was done in the by-election at Ranikor constituency in 2018.

According to sources, there are some political parties within the MDA government who have expressed their intention to field their candidates in the by-election from the Shella constituency.

Sources also said that at present there have not been any discussions to support a consensus candidate from any political party within the MDA government.

The MDA government is led by the National People’s Party (NPP) along with the UDP, BJP, People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), NCP and independent MLAs.

It may be recalled that during the by-election to the Ranikor constituency last year after Martin M Danggo had resigned as a Congress MLA, it was an election in which the NPP, the UDP and the PDF had fielded their own candidates. Pius Marweiñ from the UDP won the election.

According to the latest data, of the total 29,542 voters in Shella constituency, 14,698 are males and 14,844 are females.

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