Shot in the arm for UDP

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, Sept 24: In light of the recent shifting of allegiance of top Congress leaders in Ri Bhoi district to the United Democratic Party (UDP), leader of Opposition and party president Dr Donkupar Roy said that he is confident that the regiol party would get more seats than any other party in the upcoming 2018 Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters after several leaders from the Congress as well as some NGOs in Ri Bhoi district joined the UDP, Roy said, “We are 100% sure that UDP will win the election and we will get the maximum number of seats.”

When asked about the discontentment in some constituencies where the UDP and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPSDP) are yet to  reach any consensus, Roy said they are sorting out the issue even as he added that  the alliance also has few open seats that will help candidates.

The UDP chief also said that they welcome anyone who intends to join the regiol party.

Meanwhile, UDP MDC from Umsning, Donkupar Sumer was over the moon as top leaders from Congress have now shifted their allegiance to UDP.

“It is a positive sign and we are moving in the right direction,” he told reporters.

When asked about his rival candidate from Congress who will take on him during elections, Sumer said the candidate was a strong contender earlier, but in recent past the Congress party has lost the elections everywhere in the country and the same will happen here in Meghalaya.

“People are fed up with the style and functioning of the State government and they have faith in regiol parties,” he said.

According to Sumer, Congress leaders joining UDP will demoralise the parent party in the constituency.

He also said that the UDP will focus on providing quality education, besides providing jobs to the youth of the State in a transparent manner. He also ruled out any  disunity within the party following the alliance with HSPDP, saying there are bound to be some differences when efforts are on to unite the party. “These are small issues at the local levels and it will be sorted out without having any adverse affect,” he said.