The United Democratic Party (UDP) has again issued a clarion call for regional party unity in Meghalaya, even holding out hope of cooperation between it and the upstart Voice of the People Party (VPP).
While not the oldest, the UDP is the biggest regional outfit in terms of MLAs with 12 in the House of 60. It is already in alliance with the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and is looking to further strengthen the regional party bloc.
The VPP, however, might not want to join hands with established parties as its raison d’etre is partly offering voters a change from what has come before. It has already capitalised on its underdog status to win four Assembly seats, the Shillong Lok Sabha seat (which it did by a spectacular margin) and it now has its eye on the Khasi and Jaintia Autonomous District Councils (KHADC and JHADC) when they go to the polls in the next few months.
Nevertheless, UDP president and Mairang MLA Metbah Lyngdoh held out the hand of friendship to the VPP today, saying that the regional parties should work together in the interest of the indigenous people.
“Whichever party that claims to be a regional party, it is high time for us to think seriously and see that we come together and work as one,” he said.
Stating that there is a stark difference between national and regional parties, Lyngdoh said, “The regional parties’ objective is for the interest of the local and indigenous people with respect to the people of other communities… They (national parties) have to look at the national interest while we are a local party with a regional outlook.”
Referring to his experience of 16-17 years in politics and history of the state going even further back, he said, “We have seen if multiple regional parties are there in the state it is not a good sign for the future of the indigenous people and those working for them.”
The UDP, VPP and HSPDP are the only real regional parties that have any strength in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. KHNAM still exists but is currently nowhere. Last year, the PDF fell on its own sword and was swallowed up by the National People’s Party.
