UDP-HSPDP combine kicks off poll campaign

From A Correspondent

Shillong, Jan 8: United Democratic Party (UDP) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), the two prominent regiol parties of Meghalaya that have forged a pre-poll alliance for the upcoming Assembly polls, kicked-off their election campaign from Mawlai constituency on Monday.

During the rally that was held to drum up support for sitting legislator Embhahlang Syiemlieh at the Polytechnic Ground, Kynton Massar here where leaders of both the UDP and the HSPDP were present. Prominent among them were HSPDP chief Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh and its general secretary Jemino Mawthoh.

Lyngdoh, who spoke on the occasion, said that 22 years ago when they were leading their respective pressure groups they knew the difficulties the indigenous people of the State were going through. He said the Congress had ruled Meghalaya for 35 years, but it has failed to live up to the expectations of the people.

“We will ensure that the Congress, especially the regime under present Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, does not come back to power,” Lyngdoh said.

Mocking the Congress, the UDP working president said that it is in disarray with some of its legislators about to go to jail and others leaving it to join other parties.

Lyngdoh also urged those present to vote for Syiemlieh, the sitting legislator from Mawlai, since it was certain that the regiol alliance would capture power after the Assembly polls.

On the other hand, HSPDP chief and Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit warned the electorate of Mawlai constituency not to be misled by politicians who dole out money during elections.

He also likened the election of a legislator to that of looking for life partner. “We need to be careful. Electing a legislator is like searching for a life partner. If one makes mistake then it will be a lifetime of miseries,” he cautioned.

The HSPDP chief said there needs to be an understanding between the regiol parties to boot out the Congress from Meghalaya even as he stated that the pre-poll alliance is a step towards a possible unification of the regiol forces in the State. Basaiawmoit said the aim of the regiol alliance is to root out corruption if it comes to power.

“In the present Congress-led government, all contract works are done by MLAs themselves. Therefore, contractors are being deprived of their share,” he alleged.

“If our government comes to power we will revitalize the crippling economy of the State so that infrastructure can be provided in government-run hospitals,” Basaiawmoit added.

Sitting UDP legislator from Mawlai, who also spoke on the occasion, accused the present Congress regime of holding festivals under various mes.

Syiemlieh also hit out at Mawlai MDC PT Sawkmie for saying that the UDP legislator was inexperienced.

“Yes, I am not experienced to indulge in corruption. But you are very experienced at it,” the UDP MLA from Mawlai retorted.