SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP) organised a rally at Malki play ground on Thursday which was attended by over thousands of its supporters from across the state. Thirty-four candidates who are all set to contest the Assembly elections were introduced by the party president, Donkupar Roy on this day.
HSPDP president, Ardent M Basaiwmoit, addresses the public meeting organised by the UDP and HSPDP at Malki ground in the city on Thursday. Photo : Sanjib Bhattacharjee.
Giving a brief speech, Roy said, “Among the 34 candidates, there are seven MLAs and we are hopeful that all the seven will win.”
He appealed to the supporters to work hard for the party to ensure electoral success in the coming Assembly elections which is scheduled to be held sometime in the month of February.
With the UDP striking an alliance will fellow regional parties, HDPDP and Garo National Council (GNC), Roy informed that HSPDP has till date announced 13 candidates while GNC has announced 5 candidates.
‘ State failed in all aspects’
Meanwhile, general secretary of the party and candidate from Nongthymmai constituency, Jemino Mawthoh said, “The state has failed in all aspects. (Chief Minister) Mukul Sangma said that in another 6-7 years the state will contribute towards national development but we see what has happened in these 7 years.”
Pointing to the financial crisis in the state, he said that the finances of the state were getting dry and that had affected the state in sharp contrast to claims of Sangma that the state woud contribute to national development.
“Other states like Sikkim and Tripura are far ahead of Meghalaya which shows we have failed as a state. In the state, we see wealth without work, politics without principle, law without justice,” he added.
Speaking of other political parties, Mawthoh said, “We don’t know whether these political parties have strong principles or not. Some politicians even leap from one party to the other.”
Calling for a change in mindset among the electorates who he observed have a major role to play, he urged them to not indulge in vote-for-money politics.
Leaders urge voters to give UDP-HSPDP a chance
UDP candidate from Shillong West constituency, Paul Lyngdoh said that before Meghalaya turns 50, the keys to rule the state should be snatched from national parties and to allow the regional parties to be helm of affairs of the state.
According to him, the leaders of national parties at the state level often turn to Delhi to seek advice about the administration here in the state.
Stating that a “big cancer” under Congress constitutes of crime and cash, Lyngdoh said that Congress’ was the worst government ever.
Meanwhile, UDP veteran member, Bindo Lanong attacked the BJP while pointing to the alleged anti-Christian move in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
“BJP has to go from India as they don’t respect the Constitution of the Country. They will break the unity of the country. But (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi and BJP cannot break the unity of the country,” he added.
Drawing a similarity between the selections of best football players and politicians, Lanong also stated that the electorates should be wise enough to elect good candidates who would raise the people’s concerns in the Assembly.
Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), Ardent M. Basaiawmoit also spoke at the UDP rally calling upon the people to give the regional alliance of UDP-HSPDP a chance.
Speaking about the Congress, he alleged that the party was wooing the electorates with Rs 5000 by misusing the government fund from the Meghalaya Livestock Mission.
“They (the Congress) are doing it before the elections. We have to fight against money power,” he added.
Pointing to another political party, National People’s Party (NPP), Basaiawmoit said, “I asked people about NPP in Garo Hills and they said that it cannot be trusted as the party was an ally of the BJP at the Center and in Manipur.”
He slammed the Congress defectors by arguing that they could have supported the no-confidence motion passed against the government but chose to quit the party only months away from the election.
Basaiawmoit also took out a video of Congress defector and current NPP member, Prestone Tynsong and kept it near the microphone to make people hear what the former Congress leader had to say.
Referring to the video, he said, “He (Tynsong) said to Mukul, ‘You are a great leader.’” It may be recalled that during the inauguration of the Pynursla Civil Sub-Division last year, Tynsong had lauded the achievements of the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma while addressing the Pynursla crowd.
Candidate from North Tura, Utpal Arengh slammed NPP for being partisan and practices nepotism and expressed confidence that UDP in Garo Hills will win 5-8 seats.
Also speaking at the UDP rally was principal of Sunrise School, Chandan Das who appealed non-tribal voters to vote for UDP.
“Outside parties cannot take care of the aspirations of the people here so the best bet are the regional parties,” adding that genuine non-tribals have thrived in Shillong West constituency and Nongthymmai constituency.