Shillong Sept 30: People’s Democratic Front (PDF) candidate, Mosjo Wanswet who joined the electoral battle from Shella constituency in the upcoming bye election to be held on October 21, said that he was confident of winning the bypoll because his elder brother had been the main contender in the past Assembly elections.
Mosjo’s elder brother, Leston Wanswet had been the main contender in the past Assembly elections from Shella constituency.

The constituency goes bypoll on October 21 to fill up the seat that fell vacant following the death of sitting MLA, Donkupar Roy on July 28.

Roy had represented Shella constituency for seven consecutive terms since 1988, and Leston had always come second in various elections against Roy, who was the president of the United Democratic Party (UDP).

In the 2018 Assembly polls, Donkupar Roy polled 8,280 votes, and defeated Leston of the PDF by a margin of 370 votes.

“I have full confidence that I will win this bye election because my elder brother has been the main contender and came second in the past elections he had unsuccessfully contested from Shella,” Mosjo said after filing his nominations on Monday.

Mosjo said that his elder brother had been working very hard for the people of Shella constituency and he had sacrificed himself for the people in the past 15 years.

“He had really wanted to serve the people of Shella, but now due to age and health, he could not contest this bye election. He has asked me to take his part and fulfill his wishes to serve the people of Shella constituency,” Mosjo said.

He said that Shella did not have proper roads till now.

“The UDP got the chance to serve the people of Shella for seven terms, but the MLA has left many pending works which are to be accomplished. Whatever the MLA had left, I follow up and also take up new projects,” he said.

On his elder brother siding with the NPP, Mosjo said that it was a fact that till today, his elder brother is still with the NPP.

The NPP which is leading the MDA government is supporting the UDP candidate in this bye election.

Asked if he would ask his elder brother to leave the NPP so that he can support him in this election, Mosjo said, “I am sorry to say that now my elder brother cannot accompany and help me in this bye election because of his age. Therefore I have to depend on party leaders, workers, and supporters, ministers of the party.”

On the demand for new district by upgrading the Sohra Civil Sub Division, Mosjo said, “Without development, getting a new district will not bring benefit to the people because we have already seen that newly created districts remained the same without any change. Personally, I wish that development should come first, then we will pursue with the demand for creation of new district in the time to come.”