SHILLONG: United Democratic Party (UDP) is not averse to the idea of working with the BJP after the upcoming 2018 Assembly election.
The UDP’s senior working president, Bindo M Lanong, on Thursday said that it was important to have some kind of understanding and link with the party which has a Government at the Centre.
“The UDP have this kind of link by being with the Congress all these years. We remember even in previous term (2008-2013) when we were part of the Congress-led coalition Government, there was Congress Government even at the Centre,” UDP senior working president, Bindo Mathew Lanong said.
Maintaining that the link with the party in power in Delhi is very crucial, he said that with the BJP was having a Government at the Centre how could the UDP be inimical with the saffron party.
He, however, said that the party would have no alliance with the BJP as far as the election was concerned.
On the other hand, UDP president and Opposition leader, Donkupar Roy on Thursday ruled out having any alliance with the Congress.
“I want to make it very clear that the UDP-HSPDP-GNC will go all out to defeat the Congress this time round. There is no question of working with the Congress after the election,” the UDP president.
Echoing similar views, Lanong said that the misrule of the Congress in Meghalaya had to be stopped adding that the UDP will make all efforts to ensure that the Congress should go out of power this time round.
On being asked about the discontentment among the party workers who are not happy with the seat adjustments with the HSPDP, UDP president said that the party would be more than happy to have seat adjustments in all constituencies.
“This kind of situation is common in politics. This decision to have alliance with the HSPDP and GNC was in the best interest of the people in the State,” Dr Roy said.
Taking a cue from the statement of the party president, Lanong claimed that the party had the support of majority of the people who have expressed their satisfaction on the attempt of the party to have alliance with like-minded parties.
“This is a welcome steps and a wise decision,” UDP senior working president said.