SHILLONG: While refusing to admit that the United Democratic Front (UDP) was no longer a major force in the State, its working president Paul Lyngdoh on Thursday said that the party continues to remain as the largest State-based political party with its presence across the State.
“Other State-based parties have no presence in Garo Hills, Jaintia Hills and even Ri Bhoi district,” Lyngdoh said.
The UDP working president was reacting to the statement of its former joint secretary in charge Garo Hills, Rocky R. Marak, who had claimed that the party was no longer a major factor in the State. Marak had resigned from the party on Wednesday.
Admitting that the party presence in Garo Hills was minimal, Lyngdoh said the main reason behind this was the fact that the party has not been able to sustain its popularity in Garo Hills since it did not have any elected representative from the region.
“In the 2003 Assembly election the party managed to win two seats in Garo Hills while in the 2008 election, the party secured only one seat in the region. The party had to taste it’s worst-ever defeat in Garo Hills as it drew blank in the 2013 election,” Lyngdoh said, adding, “The party will try its best to ensure that the UDP resurfaces as a major force in Garo Hills region.
He also spoke on the need to achieve a lot in order to reform the party, and with this in mind, the party has been focusing on bringing out young leaders who will strengthen the organizational activities of the party.
“The only way to rejuvenate the party is to empower the youth. Therefore, the party is working towards strengthening its youth organization. The presence of youth leaders in the UDP is a strong indication of our intent,” the UDP working president said, while elaborating that in three constituencies in Shillong, the party is represented by legislators who were former student leader.
Lyngdoh also denied that the UDP has failed to rake up important issues affecting the State.
“No can deny the fact that it was the UDP which raised the issue of politician-militant nexus in Garo Hills in the Assembly.
“But it is difficult for the party to raise various issues of any region on a regular basis if it does not have elected representatives. To constantly follow any issue, we need to have first hand information about the various developments in the region. This can happen only if we have elected representatives,” he said.
“Unless we have strong presence in Garo Hills, it will be difficult to influence the Government,” he added.