By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The UDP — a key ally in the Congress-led MUA government — has decided to go it alone in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The decision was taken at the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting here on Monday.
“After a threadbare deliberation the party leaders unanimously decided not to go for any pre-poll alliance,” the UDP president Dr Donkupar Roy told reporters after the meeting.
According to Dr Roy, “the main reason (due to which) we decided to go it alone is that we have already finalised our candidates for almost all the constituencies in the State.”
“It is now impossible for the party to withdraw the names. For any pre-poll alliance there should a seat-sharing agreement,” he said adding that the party also has to accept a ‘compromise policy’.
“The party is no longer in a position to accept such agreements,” he said.
Dr Roy also expressed concern over prevailing law and order situation in Garo Hills.
“We would be closely monitoring the developments in Garo Hills in the days to come. There cannot be a free and fair election if there is any interference from militants,” UDP president said.
Referring to recent attacks on some Congress leaders perpetrated by some rebel outfits he said, “Such incidents are uncalled for. I hope the law enforcing agencies are taking note of these developments”.
Dr Roy said the UDP was in favour of the new upgraded version of EVMs. “If the upgraded version is not available the old secret ballot system should be used (in the upcoming Assembly election),” he said. The party also announced the names five candidates — Draison Kharshiing from Nongkrem, Wonderful Lapang from Jirang constituency, Edward Kharmawphlang from Shillong South (Laban), Arun N Marak – Songsak and Raju G Momin – Rongjeng. With Wonderful Lapang joining the fray, it is now official that the sitting MLA and former Chief Minister JD Rymbai will not be contesting the upcoming Assembly elections. With this, the UDP has so far named 44 candidates out of the 60 constituencies. The party’s State Election Committee will meet again on January 7 to decide candidates for the remaining seats.