The United Democratic Party (UDP) has decided that its senior-most leader and former deputy chief minister Bindo M. Lanong will lead the party till the new central executive committee is constituted.

At a special meeting of the central executive committee held at the MLA hostel here on Friday, UDP leaders from Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo hills discussed filling up the party president’s post following the demise of its president, Donkupar Roy.

Donkupar, who represented Shella Assembly constituency for seven consecutive terms since 1988 and held the post of Speaker, passed away on July 28.

Lanong will lead the party till the new office-bearers of the central executive committee are elected in the general council meeting of the party on September 11.

The UDP has decided to visit Williamnagar in East Garo Hills district on August 17 to reorganise the party in Garo hills.

UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh told reporters that in the absence of the president, Lanong by virtue of being the senior-most leader, would lead the party.

Lanong said after the meeting, “The present set-up will continue to function until the general council sits, considers, decides and elects the new office-bearers of the central executive committee for the next three-year term.”

An organising committee was also constituted for holding the general council meeting. Tourism minister Metbah Lyngdoh, who is the UDP legislator from Mairang, is heading the committee.

Lyngdoh was recently also elected as the new leader of the UDP Legislature Party in place of Donkupar.

The UDP, which is the main ally of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has left it to the legislature party to decide upon the post of Speaker.

“We will leave this matter to the legislature party which comprises six MLAs and two Independent MLAs who are associate members. We are optimistic that the legislature party will be able to address the matter soon,” Mawthoh said.

“There is no dearth of capable leaders to take up the Speaker’s post,” he added.

The UDP appealed to its partners in the MDA government not to field any candidate in the Shella constituency bypoll as a mark of respect to Donkupar.