SHILLONG: The UDP and the HSPDP have unanimously agreed on a pre-poll alliance for the first time in the State. The parties’ central executive committees held separate meetings on Thursday.
Addressing a joint press conference, UDP president Donkupar Roy said, “There will be a pre-poll alliance between UDP and HSPDP.”
Roy said the talks about a regional alliance should not meet the same fate as in the past.
Hinting at past events where regional alliances led to bitter experiences, the UDP president said, “The experiences in the past should not recur. We keep the interests of people in the forefront and there will be no political tug-of-war.”
There was no pre-poll alliance between UDP and HSPDP in the past, said Ardent Basaiawmoit, HSPDP president and MLA from Nongkrem.
Terming it as a memorable day, Basaiawmoit said, “HSPDP feels that the decision to align with UDP will bring victory to the indigenous people of the State.”
He said the alliance will focus on 36 constituencies in Khasi-Jaintia Hills as HSPDP has not been able to gain its ground in Garo Hills.
No poll truck with NEDA
Commenting on North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) of which UDP is an ally, Roy said, “There is no pre-poll alliance with NEDA.”
The alliance with NEDA was formed keeping in mind the problems plaguing the North East.
NEDA is a coalition of northeastern parties. It was formed by the Bharatiya Janata Party last May with Assam BJP Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as its convener.
Both Roy and Basaiawmoit said “there will be problems” but the alliance’s priority will be the State and its people.
Referring to the anti-defection law, which deters MLAs from both the parties to defect to other parties after the polls, he said the law will strengthen the alliance.
When asked on the probability of unification, Roy said, “Time will tell.” To this, Basaiawmoit said, “It is not about unification but a pre-poll alliance.”
Commenting on the strategy of the alliance to tackle money power, Roy said, “It is all about people’s power and not money power.”
Vague on seat adjustment
The two leaders, however, skirted questions on seat-sharing. Roy said, “There are some preparations but we will not disclose it now.”
However, the UDP leader said the members of the alliance should be prepared to sacrifice their seats.
UDP MDC H.S Shylla had said he would not contest from Nongkrem to make way for Basaiawmoit.
When asked on KHNAM’s decision to welcome the pre-poll alliance only after brief discussion with regional parties, Roy said, “We welcome parties if they lend their support to the alliance.”
On the issue of choosing a chief ministerial candidate, he said, “The alliance will rely on the wisdom of the parliamentary party to choose a CM candidate after the results.”
Coordination committee
“The UDP-HSPDP Coordination Committee will analyse the election scenario in 2018,” Roy said.
Roy and Basaiawmoit will be the chairman and the co-chairman, respectively.
The members will include all MLAs of both the parties and former MLA B.M Lanong.
Roy added that the Committee will meet from time to time to discuss on the modalities to gear up for the Assembly elections in 2018.
‘PDF not a political party’
UDP president Donkupar Roy has asserted that People’s Democratic Front (PDF) cannot be termed as a political party.
Referring to PN Syiem who is speculated to be the leader of the PDF, Roy said, “As for PDF, it cannot be considered as a political party because their leader is a Congressman who is under suspension.”
It may be recalled that PDF was floated in March. Its members have denied that Syiem had floated the party.
The members have stated that a leader who is effective and can bring about change in the State will only be deemed fit to lead the PDF.
