SHILLONG, Feb 4 ? Former Finance Minister and sitting MLA from the Jaiaw constituency A H Lyngdoh is confident of retaining his seat. Talking to The Assam Tribune, Sri Lyngdoh said the voters would take into account the developmental work done by him. Asked if the going would be tough for him this time with former KSU chief and president of the Khun Hyniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHWAM) pitted against him, the veteran politician said ?it is not a question of age versus youth.?
A former bureaucrat, Lyngdoh, who is a candidate of the newly formed Meghalaya Democratic party (MDP), pointed out that all candidates of his party have voluntarily disclosed their assets. The issue of corruption would be the major plank for the party in the run-up to the Assembly polls, he said while accusing the present government headed by Dr F A Khonglan of shady financial deals.
Lyngdoh was dropped from the ministry after he accused the Chief Minister of being involved in a scam relating to the purchase of CGI sheets. Earlier, he was instrumental in splitting the United Democratic Party (UDP) and subsequent formation of the NDP over the issue of financial burgling in the Kolkata Meghalaya House deal.
The then government headed by E K Mawlong was unceremoniously removed from power and a new ministry headed by Dr Khongdoh was installed. Meanwhile, for political observers, the contest in the prestigious Jaiaw constituency which has a large number of educated voters, would be interesting this time.