Shillong, Sept 7: The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) on Thursday announced the first list of 28 candidates for the upcoming Assembly election where all its eight sitting MLAs also figured in the list.

In the first list, the eight sitting MLAs of the UDP include, UDP president, Donkupar Roy from Shella constituency, Paul Lyngdoh (West Shillong), Jemino Mawthoh (Nongthymmai), Titossarwell Chyne (Sohra), Metbah Lyngdoh (Mairang), Remington Pyngrope (Mawkynrew), Embhahlang Syiemlieh (Mawlai), and H. Brolding Nongsiej (Mawthadraishan), all from Khasi region.

There were reports earlier that Remington Pyngrope may not contest from Mawkynrew constituency on UDP ticket, since he opposed the seat-sharing agreement between the UDP and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).

Pyngrope wanted that Mawkynrew constituency should be excluded from the nine constituencies which have been categorised as open seats, where both the UDP and HSPDP would field candidates for a “strategic contest.”

The UDP president told reporters that all the eight sitting MLAs of the party had confirmed in writing that they would contest on UDP ticket from their respective constituencies.

Roy also hoped that the pre-poll alliance between the UDP and the HSPDP and GNC would secure majority seats in the upcoming election, and form a new government next year.

Whether the DUP and its alliance partners would work together with the BJP which is also leading the Northeast Democratic Alliance (NEDA) headed by Assam finance minister, and BJP “strategist” Himanta Biswa Sarma, the UDP leader said that NEDA was not meant for election, but to find solution to various issues concerning the Northeast region.

“We are fighting against the ruling Congress and the people wanted that all the misrule of the Congress should stop,” Roy said.

UDP senior working president and former deputy chief minister, Bindo M. Lanong however said, “We cannot be inimical to the BJP, and we have to maintain links with the powers that be.”

The UDP leaders said that the pre-poll alliance has been welcomed by majority of people in the state.

Apart from the eight sitting MLAs, the other candidates include three members of the autonomous district councils – Rona Khyndeit and Donkupar Sumer , representing Nongpoh and Umsning constituency respectively to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, and Moonlight Pariat, current member of the Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council from Jowai constituency.

Former deputy chief minister, Bindo M Lanong (East Shillong),Kyrmen Shylla (Khliehriat), First Force Deki Ramsiej (Umroi), Joe Marweiñ (North Shillong), Olan Suiñ (Mawsynram), Savio ïawphniaw (Mawshynrut), and Pius Marweiñ (Ranikor) also figured in the first list.

From Garo Hills, ten candidates were declared, which include, former MLA, Nimarson Momin (Salmanpara), former MLA, Nidhuram Hajong (Mahendraganj), Arun N. Marak (Songsak), Bartush R. Marak (Rongjeng), Mahamsingh M. Sangma (Williamnagar), Pillarson G. Momin (Raksamgre), Kabul A. Sangma (Selsella), Utpal Arengh (North Tura), Pallab D. Areng (South Tura), and Luderburg Ch. Momin (Kharkutta).

The UDP is likely to contest more than ten seats out of 24 in Garo region, while its partner, the GNC has so far proposed to contest from four constituencies, three in South Garo Hills district and one in West Garo Hills district.

The UDP has forge pre-poll alliance with the HSPDP for 36 Assembly seats in Khasi and Jaiñtia regions, and with the Garo National Council (GNC) for 24 seats in the Garo region.

According to the seat-sharing agreement, the UDP will set up candidates in 17 constituencies, while the HSPDP will contest in 10 seats. In the remaining nine seats, both the parties would field their candidates as part of a “strategic fight.”