UDP front dream takes a hit

SHILLONG: The idea of the United Democratic Party to form a regional front comprising regional political parties from the North East has suffered a setback after the major partner, Asom Gana Parishad, backed out and re-associated itself with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Talking to media persons here on Saturday, UDP leader, Paul Lyngdoh, stated that the idea did face a setback after AGP backed out.
He said that the idea of floating the North East Secular Front will now be discussed only after the Lok Sabha elections since all the regional parties are busy preparing for the polls.
“We will not give up the idea and it is just a matter of time,” Lyngdoh said.
When asked about the decision of the AGP to back out of the proposed front, he said it was matter of their convenience and calculations and he had nothing to say on it. He said that they want the regional parties to play a decisive role in North East politics, but polarisation into pro -BJP and pro-Congress has weakened the cause of regionalism
The UDP had started the process of bringing regional parties together from across the region to form a secular front since leaning or depending on Delhi-centric parties is short-lived.
The idea of the front is to get all the North East-based political parties on board, including AGP and MNF, adding the idea has been floated since regionalism needs to remain relevant besides the need to maintain distance from mainstream political parties.