Although it was ultimately winless in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) election last week, the UDP is hopeful of better days to come after securing several thousand votes in the seats it contested.
Despite not having senior party leaders from Garo Hills and a weak grassroots structure there, the UDP was able to come second in Gasuapara and picked up sizeable numbers of votes in Tura, Damas, Darugre, Dengnapara and Wagesik.
“The UDP has not had MLAs or MDCs from Garo Hills for a very long time,” party general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said today.
He also said that there is no organisation of the UDP at the grassroots level in Garo Hills.
He said that in the review meeting held at Tura, leaders are of the view that UDP will do well in future with proactive role and frequent visitations from State leaders.
He highlighted the links the UDP shares with the erstwhile All Party Hill Leaders Conference, which was strong in Garo Hills, and said “many prominent leaders from Garo Hills” felt that the party will do well in the next Assembly elections, which are due by 2023.
