The United Democratic Party (UDP) held a special emergent central executive committee meeting to discuss the upcoming Garo Hill Autonomous District Council (GHADC) polls, which are scheduled for April 9.
The party’s General Secretary, Jemino Mawthoh, informed that a committee was formed constituting leaders from Garo Hills and state leaders to oversee the elections.
The UDP did not win a single seat in the last council elections in 2015. This could be partly down to the public’s perception that the regional party is more focused on Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills, an idea that Mawthoh wants to shake off. He blamed “elements” in the western districts for spreading “misinformation” that the UDP is a Khasi Hills-based party.
“We hope to open the account in this election,” he said, adding that party leaders will visit Garo Hills on February 11-12.
Winability of candidates will be a factor in selection of MDC candidates and the party General Secretary also said that the UDP will have to screen those seeking tickets to weed out any who may not remain loyal to the party if elected.
Mawthoh also passed a significant comment, saying that there has been mismanagement and corruption in the GHADC over the years. This has been a repeated allegation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the 2015-20 council, which was dominated by the National People’s Party (NPP). Both the BJP and UDP are allied to the NPP at the state level.
“If the UDP comes to power in the GHADC we want transparency and accountability in the functioning of the council,” Mawthoh stated because mistakes have been committed under successive regimes in the district council.
“The time has come for new thinking, not only in governance but also administration,” he added.
