Sayedullah Nongrum former minister and ind candidate Tikrikilla
File image of Sayedullah Nongrum,

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has decided to field former Meghalaya health minister, Sayeedullah Nongrum as its candidate for the by-election to Selsella Assembly constituency to be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls on April 11.

UDP vice-president, Allantry Franklin Dkhar said that the party after due process has cleared the candidature of Sayeedullah as its candidate for the bye-election.

The by-election to Selsella is necessitated following the demise of Congress MLA, Clement Marak on October 8 last year.

The ruling NPP may field Fairlyne C A Sangma, while the Congress may back Clement’s wife, June Eliana R Marak as the candidate.

In the February 27 Assembly polls in 2018, Marak was re-elected for the third time from Selsella constituency.

During the Congress-led government in the state, Marak was the Minister in-charge Power, Food and Civil Supplies, and other departments.

The Congress has 19 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, following the demise of Marak.