Shillong, Oct 16: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Tuesday announced its first list of ten candidates for the upcoming elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to be held in 2019.

The final list of candidates will be announced on October 31.

The candidates in the first list include two former legislators – Embhalang Syiemlieh from Mawlai and Titosstarwell Chyne from Sohra constituency. Sitting MDCs of the KHADC who are also candidates in the first list including – Teiñwell Dkhar (Shella), Donkupar Sumer (Umsning), Rona Khymdeit (Nongpoh), Ricky Shullai (Laban-Mawprem).

Other candidates include, S Basing Roy Kharshandi (Nongthymmai), Olan Suiñ (Mawsynram), Mcdonald Kharkongor (Mylliem) and Khamshai Lyngdoh (Mawphlang-Diengiei).

The UDP has also asked district units to speed their recommendation in as far as candidates for the elections to the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC).

A manifesto committee with Lanong as chairman was also constituted.

The UDP has ruled out pre-poll alliance with the HSPDP for the upcoming elections to the districts councils.

The next meeting of the Central executive committee will be held in North Garo Hills district on October 27.

Meanwhile the UDP asked other partners of the coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) to support its candidate as the ‘common candidate’ in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Shillong Parliamentary.

The UDP also said that the MDA partners should keep in mind the importance of ‘stability’ in the present government.

The UDP came up with an idea of fielding common candidates by the MDA from Tura Lok Sabha seat and Shillong Lok Sabha seat next year.

The UDP said that an NPP candidate should be the common candidate of the MDA from Tura Lok Sabha seat, while the UDP nominee should be the common candidate of the MDA from Shillong.

After a meeting of the UDP’s central executive committee here on Tuesday, senior leader, Bindo M Lanong said, no one can stop anybody from fielding candidates in the upcoming Lok sabha polls, but “it would be good if there is a mutual understanding among the regional parties because stability of the MDA government is of utmost importance.”

Whether there is a threat to the stability of the MDA government if the coalition partners do not support a common candidate projected by the UDP, Lanong said, “lack of understanding among the MDA partners may affect and bring instability in the MDA government. I feel we have a better chance to win both the seats if we have common candidates,” he said.

The MDA government led by the NPP, was formed by six political parties apart from Independents after the February-27 Assembly polls this year. The six political parties include NPP, UDP, HSPDP, PDF, BJP, NCP and Independents.

Lanong informed that the UDP has decided to announce its official candidate from the Shillong parliamentary seat for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls on October 31.

“Our proposal is that, the NPP should set up its candidate only from the Tura seat, and support the UDP from the Shillong seat,” the UDP leader said.

Lanong said that Central executive committee of the party has accepted two former legislators of the party – Jemino Mawthoh and Paul Lyngdoh to be aspirants for party ticket from Shillong Lok Sabha seat.

“We have fixed October 31 as the date for finalizing an official candidate of the party from among the two,” Lanong said.

The UDP will approach other regional political parties which include the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) for their support and have a consultation with them on the matter.