SHILLONG: United Democratic Party (UDP) president, Donkpar Roy has said that there will be no change in the current set-up of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government in the state.
Talking to media persons here on Thursday, Roy said that the MDA will be more stronger than before after the UDP’s win in the by-election to Ranikor Assembly constituency and the alliance would continue till the end of the five-year term.
“I don’t see there will be any change in current set-up of the MDA Government,” he said while adding that the reports about UDP demanding a cabinet berth for Pius Marwein is the opinion of few.
According to Roy, there is no more vacancy for a cabinet berth as the state can have only 12 ministers in a 60-member House even as he pointed out that the party would not bargain for any berths since it believes that the alliance should work as a team
When asked about the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Roy said that the party would like to have a common candidate for the parliamentary elections but the matter has not been discussed with the NPP and even the common candidate’s name has not been finalised as of now.
He also said as per his calculation, MM Danggo who lost the Ranikor by poll retained 90 per cent of his original votes and UDP’s candidate got 4000 more votes this time and these votes came from the supporters of NPP, UDP and BJP besides a small number of Congress people, who voted for Pius Marwein.
Denying that the UDP had any mutual understanding with the Congress for the by-elections, Roy added that how can Congress help UDP by putting up their own candidate in the constituency
He also said that one of the important factors which played an important role in the elections, was money power and the problem with regional parties is they don’t have sufficient funds to match with the national parties
“If we have sufficient funds, regional parties will win all the seats,” Roy who is also the speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly said.
When asked about party’s strategy for the upcoming District council polls, he said that the party might go on its own in the MDC elections and they know what will be the post poll scenario in the state
Expressing concern over the MDCs frequently changing their party affiliations at the District council level, Roy added that all the parties were concerned about the matter and there is a need to have some anti-defection laws for MDCs
‘We need more responsible and disciplined persons as MDCs,” he added
On the other hand, NPP leader, Sniawbhalang Dhar said that the party was happy as its coalition partner have won the election in Ranikor. “ We are happy as Congress has lost one seat,” he said