SHILLONG, Feb 28: The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Monday elected Social Welfare Minister, Kyrmen Shylla as its youth wing president.
The UDP is aiming at activating all its frontal wings ahead of next year’s Assembly elections. Shylla’s election is a part of it.
“It is not about winning or losing but we will work hard to try and come back. I believe all my colleagues and I will come back. We will continue to work as a team even if we lose the elections,” Shylla told reporters.
Talking about filling up the gaps in the Garo Hills region, he said, “Although we don’t have any MLA there, we have one MDC and also associate members. We will work hard and reach out to each and every corner of the state before the 2023 polls. I believe our party will lead the government.”
Asked what difference the UDP youth wing will make since all parties have it, he said, “We will try to give justice to the people. We will see what they want us to do and want from us. If it is relevant and constructive, we will go ahead with it and might take it as a resolution.”
UDP president, Metbah Lyngdoh believed the youth wing will play an important role in taking the party to the people across the state.
Stating that the efforts to activate the youth wing were affected by the pandemic, Lyngdoh said over the past few months, many youth of the party questioned its position.
“Let me tell you that the party is not sleeping. It is not idle but moving in the right direction. The reason is we work as a team,” Metbah Lyngdoh said.
Lyngdoh attributed the UDP’s success since 2018 to the formation of the core group comprising some elected and senior members. Stating that the president cannot perform alone, he said the entire team and the party’s central body will work hard to ensure that it fares well in the polls.
“I request the youth wing to come forward and work as one. It is a separate entity and we have women and youth wings. I am pleased that the youth wing has been activated. The farmers’ wing will also be activated soon,” he added.
Better performance
Shortly after his election, Shylla said the party will seek to improve its tally in the upcoming 2023 polls.
Talking to reporters, Shylla said that the UDP Youth Wing will try to work in close coordination with the party leadership to ensure better performance compared to the last election.
He further rooted for a government led by the regional forces of the state.
“I am sure that the regional parties will be able to provide a government which will work for the benefit of the people,” Shylla, who is also the UDP MLA from Khliehriat, said.
He further informed that the office-bearers of the party’s youth wing are expected to meet on March 7 to discuss the plan of action and issues that the party needs to raise in view of the polls. “We have the highest number of young MLAs to take the party to new heights,” Shylla added.
The UDP Youth Wing consists of Shella MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem as secretary, Mawphlang MLA Eugeneson Lyngdoh as chief youth organiser, Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein and Mookaiaw MLA Nujorki Sungoh and Baitbari MDC Ashahel D Shira as working presidents.
The UDP has eight MLAs in the 60-member House.