HSPDP at crossroads after poll debacle

SHILLONG: The oldest political party in the state, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), is at a crossroads as its former leader Ardent Basaiawmoit is keeping a low profile while the new leadership under former MLA KP Pangniang is trying hard to charter a new course for the survival of the party.
After the election results, Basaiawmoit resigned as the party president.
This triggered the resignation of ten of his supporters.
Basaiawmoit was peeved after two HSPDP MLAs, Samlin Malniang and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, refused to toe the line.
Basaiawmoit was uncomfortable with supporting the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) led by the National People’s Party (NPP).
The Assembly elections turned out to be a disappointment for the party that won only two seats, Sohiong and Mawkyrwat.
In the last election in 2013, the party had won four seats. Also, in the 2014 district council polls, HSPDP had performed well.
In the Assembly polls, the party lost the Nongstoin seat to NPP’s Macmillan Byrsat even as the constituency was regarded as the bastion of the HSPDP architect, late Hoping Stone Lyngdoh.
When contacted, Basaiawmoit did not want to comment.
Election to new prez
However, HSPDP acting president Pangniang told The Shillong Times that election for the new party president is likely to be held next week following which several steps will be taken to revamp the party.
However, it remains to be seen how the new leadership improves the prospects of HSPDP.
The party is yet to know the future course of action of its former president.
As for the role of Basaiawmoit in the party, Pangniang said, “We have not discussed about the matter.”
After the setback in the Assembly polls, at least two units of the party resigned.
However, Pangniang downplayed the desertions and said, “They left the party and nothing can be done.”
Despite the adversities, the party has directed its units to prepare for the district council elections in 2019. According to Pangniang, the party will not have any pre-poll or post-poll alliance with UDP as decided by UDP chief Donkupar Roy.