2023 polls: HSPDP explores strategies

SHILLONG, March 22: With less than a year to go for the Assembly polls, the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) convened its central executive committee meeting on Tuesday to explore strategies and forge possible alliances in view of the final showdown in 2023.
The party also constituted its Central Election Committee.
Speaking about the election committee, HSPDP president KP Pangniang said that the committee will comprise seven members under the chairmanship of an ex-MLA of the party.
“We have discussed how to move forward by taking up important issues and frame the manifesto. This matter has been entrusted to this committee,” he informed.
During the course of discussions, positive feedback was received from various district committees, which have been redirected to activate all HSPDP frontal wings and work to strengthen and rebuild the party from the grassroots.
On forging an alliance with other political parties, he said, “We had a discussion on alliance of HSPDP with United Democratic Party (UDP) and with other regional parties of the state.
The party has decided that we are yet to take a final call as we feel that first the RDA must take the initiative, convene a meeting and whatever steps they feel appropriate. After that, we as a party will sit together and move forward accordingly.”
The Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) is an alliance between the UDP and the HSPDP.
Talking about candidates and seat sharing with the UDP, Pangniang said, “We are still awaiting the outcome of the RDA meeting. In the last elections, there were some constituencies that we have friendly match on the ground and some where we did not set up any candidates due to mutual understanding. So we cannot say at present we will give out the information in the near future.”
Asked about the issues that the party will flag, the HSPDP chief said the party will take those up later. “We have entrusted the matter to the central election committee of the party. All the issues remain the same, except youth policy and skill development. The party is laying focus to promote the youth.”