Contrary to claims of its detractors, the United Democratic Party is confident that the alliance with the Hill State Contrary to claims of its detractors, the United Democratic Party is confident that the alliance with the Hill State People’s Democratic Party in Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Garo National Council in Garo Hills is not a mere understanding of like-minded regional parties ahead of the Assembly elections but an alliance poised to go the distance and address issues confronting Meghalaya head on.UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh, while downplaying the talk of the alliance being one of convenience and that coalitions have not worked in the state, says the alliance is imbibing a culture of working together and that only a collective effort can help solve problems and save the state from further “deterioration”. The sitting Nongthymmai legislator, who came back in 2013 after losing his first election in 2008, says the alliance, if voted to power, will adopt an approach based on three Ps – positive, progressive and professional – to help restore the lost glory of Meghalaya, which according to him, has been reduced to a “failed state” by the incumbent government.With barely four months for the elections, Mawthoh has of late been spending most of his time in the field, making house-to-house visits in his constituency, among other activities.Saurav Bora caught up with the articulate UDP leader at his Nongrim Hills residence for an exclusive interview on Wednesday afternoon.
Here are the excerpts:
ST: What led the UDP enter into a pre-poll alliance with HSPDP?
Jemino: See… This (the idea of regional parties coming together) actually started from the people themselves…right from 1972, under the banner of APHLC, while later on splinter groups were formed… While differences among leaders have taken a toll on state politics but I feel there is a strong public sentiment for regional parties which has percolated to the interior areas of the state. There may be a few differences, but, by and large, people now want the big regional parties to come together and bring about a change.
ST: But critics say regional parties unite before polls but break away afterwards…
Jemino: Look, earlier it was different….people say this based on past events. But there have been differences among national parties as well… However, we now have young leaders, both in the UDP and HSPDP. More importantly, we have tried to imbibe a culture of working together as we believe that good governance requires a collective effort. It cannot be a one-man show… We are looking at issues concerning the state first.
ST: Is it an alliance of convenience?
Jemino: No, not at all…people say that even if the UDP were to go alone, it would do well…but we felt the need for like-minded parties to come on board, and like I said, deal with issues collectively.
ST: But have coalitions worked in Meghalaya?
Jemino: See, people might have said this based on bitter experiences in the past. But it does not mean that the same will be repeated. You have to understand the dynamics of democracy and politics…there will be people who think differently and parties of different ideologies. We need to think progressively, look at the ground reality…Even the Congress needs the support of Independents and NCP…This is a coalition era and coalitions work.
ST: There was a rift in the alliance. Are the differences being ironed out?
Jemino: See, you cannot say that when two or three political parties come together everything will be smooth sailing….These parties have been there for long and have candidates who would want to take part in the electoral process…In a democracy, people will have their opinions…and those have to be respected…As far as differences in the alliance is concerned, I would say 90 per cent have been ironed out while the rest are being addressed. So, things are settling down.
ST: Will BJP’s presence in Meghalaya make a difference?
Jemino: Definitely, because we have the new dispensation at the Centre. BJP is trying to make inroads in the state. Their presence will certainly cut into the vote share of national parties…but regional parties will not be affected…However, it will be difficult for BJP to win many seats.
ST: As a part of NEDA, why did UDP not have a pre-poll alliance with BJP?
Jemino: NEDA focuses on the development of North East and we have a good understanding. But we do not have a political alliance with BJP.
ST: How would you assess the incumbent Congress-led government?
Jemino: The incumbent government led by Dr Mukul Sangma has failed miserably. Economically, the state has hit a low and the dismal financial situation is reflected in the poor functioning of various departments…So much so that Meghalaya can be termed as a failed state…There is no collective leadership but a party led by one man. The government has not been able to address the aspirations of the people…there is an apparent disconnect between the initiatives they promised and the ground reality.
ST: Why is the Opposition led by UDP blamed for not being proactive?
Jemino: No, that is a wrong assessment…but people are entitled to their views… However, being in the opposition does not mean that we have to raise our voices in the streets…if you go by the records in the Assembly and the number of issues we have raised there…be it water, unemployment, urban congestion, education, power, health, you will get a fair idea. The media should highlight this aspect properly…
ST: Should MLAs focus on improving infrastructure rather than engage in distributing utility items?
Jemino: As lawmakers, MLAs must try to bring good laws…but if our job is to distribute freebies then I do not want to become an MLA…We need to think long term, think out of the box for arriving at solutions to problems of both urban and rural constituencies…
ST: NPP is gaining manpower and becoming more assertive while NCP has projected itself as the “alternative to Congress”…
Jemino: Every political party will say this…the truth is different though…looking at the political developments, people are wise enough to know that the ground reality is different…they are the best judges…let them decide…
ST: Why has there been a delay in preparing the common minimum programme by the alliance?
Jemino: The party leaders are meeting each other in this regard despite their hectic schedules. But yes, we are on it and common minimum programme will be ready soon.
ST: So, what’s in store for Meghalaya next year?
Jemino: I’m quite optimistic, the alliance of regional parties, if voted to power, can do much better than the incumbent government… we cannot allow the state to deteriorate…we need to save the state from further deterioration …I cannot say how much seats we are going to get, but we are going to spring a surprise….(smiles)