Shillong May 9: The Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) is gearing up to celebrate its golden jubilee this year.

The HSPDP, an oldest regional political party in Meghalaya was founded way back in 1968. The celebration was proposed to be held in November or December this year.

A meeting of the party’s central executive committee held here on Wednesday also decided to gear up for upcoming elections to the autonomous district councils to be held in early next year.

The meeting has also decided to elect new office bearers so that the party is fully prepared before the start of the celebration.

Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit had resigned as HSPDP president along with other leaders of the party owing responsibility for the poor performance of the party in the just concluded Assembly elections held on February 27 this year.

HSPDP acting president, KP Pangniang informed that meeting has decided to appoint Sohiong MLA Samlin Malngiang, who is also PHE minister, as the chief organizer of the party to look after the preparation for the upcoming MDC elections.

He also said that Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar has been appointed as the new general secretary while Panbor Ryntathiang as joint secretary and former KHADC CEM and MDC from Langrin Manstudy Nongrem as finance secretary of the party.

The party has also appointed Banrikupar Wahlang as the president of the Shillong City who will be assisting the joint secretary.

The remaining posts will be filled up in next the regional council meeting to be held soon.

As part of the golden jubilee celebration, the HSPDP planned to felicitate all leaders who were part of the hill state movement and also the MLAs and MDCs of the party.

“We also proposed to complete the construction of the party’s office before the commencement of the golden jubilee celebration,” he said.

Pangniang informed that the party would soon start the process of selecting candidates for district council elections from all 29 constituencies under the KHADC.

The party will also put up candidates in district council constituencies under Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.