SHILLONG: United Democratic Party (UDP) vice president Allantry Dkhar on Friday said people should rally around regional parties as they are the ones who have the interest of local and minority people in their hearts.
Talking to media persons here, he said the BJP stood for the Hindus and the Congress for Muslims and both do not have the tribals on their list of priorities. “People should not look at either,” he said.
Dkhar, however, acknowledged there is a need for national parties.
“But regional parties cannot be ignored as they think of their own and minority people,” he said.
Slamming the Congress, he said that anti-conversion law was first enacted by the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh and it was the late prime minister, Indira Gandhi, who had written to 14 states to implement the law against cow slaughter.
“Be it GST or anything. Whatever BJP is doing today, it was started by Congress,” he said while adding that the party did not find favour with the Hindu population and so looked at Muslims for support and as a better prospect.
On the upcoming elections to the Lok Sabha slated for April 11 in the state, he stated that the mood in the MDA camp is upswing as they are fielding a common candidate — Jemino Mawthoh — in Shillong and all the partners of the ruling coalition are going all out to ensure his win.
Asked about the recent accusation of BJP leader Sanbor Shullai that regional parties here are dependent on his party for funds, Dkhar suggested that he should re-visit the Constitution, which has special provisions for the North East and under which the Central government is bound to provide financial assistance to the states of the region.
