UDP battles dissidents within

From Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG, Sept 7: Given the complexities involved of entering into a pre-poll alliance with the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), the United Democratic Party (UDP) maintained that certain adjustment has to be made to oust the Congress from power in the State.

Speaking to reporters soon after the central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Thursday, UDP president Donkupar Roy said, “Let’s be practical. Somebody who has worked for the party has to realize the importance and have to sacrifice himself/herself to achieve the goal.”

Following the electoral alliance, the UDP is now plagued by dissidence over distribution of party tickets. Many ticket aspirants have openly raised their voices against the denial of tickets.

“It is not easy to sacrifice but we have to make it,” stated Roy, justifying the decision of the party for allowing the HSPDP to field candidates in constituencies with equivalent strengths.

Interestingly, the UDP-HSPDP has made an understanding of fielding their own respective candidates in 10 constituencies for friendly fights.

Roy said this emated from the strategic poll alysis where the Congress party opponent will be outwitted.

Meanwhile, the BJP is playing its own game. UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh was part of the New Delhi meeting of North East Democratic Alliance.

“The UDP had this kind of link earlier as well. Even in previous term (2008-2013) when we were part of the Congress-led coalition government, there was a Congress government even at the Centre,” said UDP senior working president Bindo Mathew Lanong.

While the indication is that there should be no hassles in dethroning the Congress after the elections, the UDP also trashed the newly-created People’s Democratic Front.

“As elected members of different political parties, they themselves have defeated the mandate given by the people,” stated the UDP president.

Taking a cue from the statement of the party president, Lanong claimed that the UDP has the support of majority of the people who have expressed their satisfaction on the attempt of the party to have alliance with likeminded parties.

“This is a welcome step and a wise decision,” the UDP senior working president said.