Shillong, Sept 26: Independent candidate, Komen Laitmon filed his nominations for the bye election to Shella Assembly seat on Thursday.

Laitmon was accompanied by hundreds of supporters when he went to file his nominations before the Returning Officer, L. Kynjing at Sohra.

Laitmon, a well known social worker in Shella area was to contest the election in 2018 from Shella constituency as the candidate of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP). But the pre-poll alliance forged between the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the HSPDP prevented him from joining the fray, and he supported UDP leader late Dr Donkupar Roy.

The bye election to Shella constituency is necessitated following the death of Dr Donkupar Roy on July 28.

The bye election to Shella will be held on October 21, and counting of votes will take place on October 24.

The last date for filing of nominations is September 30.

Laitmon said that he has been serving the people of the area for a very long time, prior to joining politics. Laitmon left the HSPDP after the 2018 Assembly elections.

“In 2018, the people have requested me to contest, but I did not contest the 2018 Assembly polls because I respect late Dr Donkupar and leaders of the UDP and HSPDP that time. Even Dr Donkupar had requested me to work together with him that time. Now that Dr Donkupar is no more, I have decided to come forward and contest this bye election,” Laitmon said.

He said that as the man from Shella area, he has better understanding about the problems faced by the people due to lack of road connectivity, as well as lack of opportunities for the youth be it in the field of sports and employment, as well as opportunities that would help in uplifting women and boost trade in the border area.

“I would not like to comment whether Dr Donkupar has worked or not to uplift Shella constituency in his 30 years of service as MLA, but the area is still lacking behind in terms of development. But I want to assure the people that if elected as MLA, I would work hard for the overall development of the constituency,” Laitmon said.