UDP to cobble up alliance with Neiphiu Rio-led DPP

STAFF CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, May 30: The Meghalaya based United Democratic Party (UDP) and galand’s newly formed political party—Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are trying to cobble up a political alliance of the regiol parties in the Northeastern State.  DPP was recently formed at the initiative of former galand CM Neiphiu Rio. The process has already begun with the UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh and Embhahlang Syiemlieh deliberating with Neiphiu Rio in Kohima on Monday. Divulging this to The Sentinel, the general secretary of the UDP Jemino Mawthoh said the consultation with the galand MP and leader of the new party is on to forge a regiol alliance that could represent the regiol aspirations and dreams of the people of the region. When asked on the circumstances that made the UDP initiate such a move to form an altertive alliance when it is part of the North east Democratic Allaince (NEDA, Mawthoh said, “NEDA is a common front to propel development in the region through the present Union government while our endeavor is to articulate the region aspirations and concerns in a more fruitful manner”. Replying to another question, the UDP leader indicated that the move is towards the same but in a more progressive manner. Appreciating the NDA government’s ‘Act east policy” Mawthoh said, “The new idea of having a regiol alliance is to have a common think tank with suggestions that the policy should not impact beyond the east when the idea is to harness the development potentials of the region.