Shillong, Oct 3: The People’s Democratic Front (PDF) has sought the support of different units of the National People’s Party (NPP) in Shella constituency for its candidate, Mosjo Wanswet who is contesting the upcoming bye-election slated for October 21.

Mosjo is the younger brother of Leston Wanswet, who had unsuccessfully contested the 2018 Assembly elections from Shella on PDF ticket and lost by a margin of 370 votes. In the past Assembly elections too, Leston had also lost by a margin of few hundred votes.

The bye election to Shella constituency is required to fill up the vacant seat following the death of sitting Shella MLA, Dr Donkupar Roy, who passed away on July 28.

Late Dr Donkupar had represented Shella constituency for seven consecutive terms since 1988.

Leston is no longer with the PDF, as he had joined the NPP.

PDF leaders however believed that Leston is still playing a vital role for the PDF candidate in this bye election, though he is with the NPP.

The NPP is supporting UDP candidate, Balajied Synrem, the son of sitting Shella MLA, late Dr Donkupar Roy.

PDF leader and cabinet minister, Hamletson Dohling however said Leston has a bigger role to play by requesting the different units of NPP in Shella to support his brother in the upcoming bye election.

“The NPP has not put up any candidate and even though we could not get the support of state leadership, but what is important is the support of people in the grassroot,” he said.

Dohling further said that the party is determined to work hard to ensure Mosjo win the Shella seat, adding that the party does not expect to win with the support of other political parties.

He informed that MLAs under the banner of the United Progressive Front (UPF) which comprised of the PDF, NCP, KHNAM and Independent have agreed to fully support the PDF’s candidate in Shella and campaign for him.

“The president of the NCP and legislator, Saleng A Sangma will be part of the election campaign,” Dohling said.

He said that the party has already started holding meetings in the constituency to drum up support for Mosjo.

Meanwhile Dohling is the minister for urban affairs in the MDA government slammed the state BJP for claiming that schemes to be sanctioned for Meghalaya and district councils have to be done in consultation with the state BJP.

“The state of Meghalaya is not a personal asset of any political party,” Dohling said.

Dohling reacted to the claim of BJP legislator, Sanbor Shullai who stated that all central schemes for Meghalaya before approving by the Central government should be first scrutinised thoroughly in consultation with the state BJP.

Both the PDF and the BJP are partners of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.

Dohling also said that leaders should not fool people by making all sorts of statements and threats in the name of development.

Voting for the bye election to Shella constituency will be held on October 21, and counting of votes on October 24.