Shillong, Feb. 9: The United Democratic Party (UDP) in Meghalaya has promised to scrap the power deal with private companies if it is elected to power.

Addressing party workers today at Mawkhar here, party president and deputy chief minister Donkupar Roy said the power deal signed by the Congress government was not in the interests of the people.

In the last cabinet meeting, the state had decided to keep the decision to hand over the power projects in abeyance.

But the cabinet has not scrapped the deal yet, despite protests from various NGOs.

It has, instead, constituted a committee to look into the merits and demerits of the deal.

According to UDP spokesman Bindo Lanong, the Congress was deliberately delaying the matter.

The UDP candidate and sitting legislator from Mawlai and the candidate from Laitumkhrah, P.T. Sawkmie, said the government lacked transparency and accountability.

The UDP has emphasised the need to streamline the administration in terms of discipline and efficiency.

Five more candidates filed the nomination papers today. They are NCP candidate Mrinal Marak from Tikrikilla, Independent candidates Cribilson Marak (Selsella) and Methrona Marak (Rongram), in West Garo Hills.

In East Garo Hills, Independent candidate Subhash Marak filed his nomination papers from Kharkutta constituency. Independent candidate Balajied Rani also filed his nomination papers from Jirang.

Mukul Sangma ticked off: Meghalaya deputy chief minister and Congress leader Mukul Sangma today landed in trouble after he was caught by the Ampati civil sub-division returning officer using red light on his private vehicle.

Sangma was attending a Youth Congress meeting near Garobadha in West Garo Hills. He took off the light and acknowledged his mistake after he was showcaused.

The election department has formed a rapid action team in West Garo Hills to look into the distribution of CDs containing the September 30, 2005, firing incident after it received a complaint from the GSU saying the matter is being politicised by Sangma for political gains.

An election department official said the matter is being examined.

The joint secretary of MDP, B.K. Khongjirem, also a teacher, had to resign from his party post after he was issued an ultimatum by his school managing committee.

The technical and higher education department has recently issued an order barring teachers of government and government-aided schools from participating or campaigning in the elections in any way.

MDP president M.N. Mukhim has decided to take up the matter with the education department.