SHILLONG, March 7: The United Democratic Party (UDP) is optimistic about making inroads into the Garo Hills region through the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
“We have to make inroads since the response is quite good. If we manage to open our account there, it will be very positive for the party in the years to come,” UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh said on Sunday.
He felt a lot will depend on the GHADC poll results for the UDP to decide on whether or not to field candidates in the 2023 Assembly elections in the Garo Hills region.
“We also have to look at 2023. As a state party, we need to strengthen our base in the districts in Garo Hills. Baghmara MLA Samuel Sangma is joining us as an associate member which is an indication that the party is going to get stronger,” a confident Jemino Mawthoh said.
Stating that the UDP does not have MLAs and MDCs in the Garo Hills for a long time, he said the party would like to open its account in the polls to provide leadership by becoming a part of the GHADC administration, the “functioning of which is currently not good”.
“If you look back at past elections, you will find we had substantial vote shares. We hope that we will be able to get the much-needed support this time by picking up good leaders,” the UDP leader said.
Stating that the party is making an all-out effort, Mawthoh said, “We still have the likes of BG Momin, LC Momin and several senior leaders who have served as MLAs and MDCs. Their being in the party has helped it make some strides in Garo Hills.”
Mawthoh said the rivals have been misleading people by branding the UDP as a “Khasi party” which, he said, is not true.
“We are a state and regional party and trying to unite people,” the UDP general secretary asserted.