Shillong: United Democratic Party (UDP) chief, Metbah Lyngdoh said there has been lack of response from other regional political parties for “unification of the regional forces”.
“Many attempts have been made in the past about unification of all the regional political parties but we could see that the response is not up to what we expected,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
He cited that there are many reasons for this and said, “Everyone has their own way of thinking”.
Stating that the UDP is open for everyone to join its fold, Lyngdoh said, “We would like to welcome all and everyone to join the party.”
He also claimed that many also have joined and that the party is on the right track ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections of Meghalaya.
“You will see in the coming days and months that response is very much there. That is why I said that UDP is on the right track and I am sure people will respond positively,” he added.
At present, the UDP and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) are part of the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA).
Whether the largest and the oldest regional parties will have a pre-poll alliance ahead of the Assembly elections, Lyngdoh however said the RDA is in place but discussion on pre-poll alliance is yet to take place between the two partners. “We will soon have a joint meeting to discuss the matter,” he added.
Meanwhile, UDP will soon finalize some of the candidates, which includes sitting legislators of other political parties, for the upcoming 2023 Meghalaya Assembly elections.Addressing media persons today, UDP chief and Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said the state election committee of the party will be constituted within a week or two.
“The election committee will go as per the process because we have to finalize some of the candidates which we already have in mind and which have been in consultation with senior leaders of the party from a few constituencies,” he said.
“As of now, four-five MLAs have shown their keen interest to join the party. All of them are in the stage of finalization because due process has to be followed and see how we move ahead. Their names will be revealed at an appropriate time,” he added.
He said if everything goes well, the party will contest from all the 60 seats.
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