From Our Correspondent
TURA, June 4: United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla has aired discontent over the party time and again being dubbed as Khasi-centric by select political leaders and parties, while warning that the UDP will not work with them after 2023 elections lest the practice continues.
Kyrem Shylla was speaking as the chief guest at a general meeting in Tura on Friday.
With an eye on the Assembly elections next year, the youth wing of the UDP held a meeting with leaders from across Garo Hills in Tura.
Shylla, in his address, alleged that elections are frequently communalised.
“They have no problems (NPP or Congress) in forming the government with this so-called Khasi party after elections but will communalise elections through their words. Let me tell them that enough is enough. If this happens again, we will discuss with our leadership to not work with such individuals or parties post elections,” asserted Shylla.
Assuring the gathering that he will raise the issues of the locals with the central leadership so that the party could move forward in the region, Shylla urged the party members to work hard to ensure at least one representative from Garo Hills from the party in the next elections.
“We have difficulties in helping our party members from Garo Hills through schemes as the NPP takes everything away. As we don’t have any representation, the situation becomes difficult,” he stated.
The social welfare minister, during an interview after the event, expressed confidence in the party becoming the biggest party in the state next year post elections.
“Every election is a challenge. This time however we believe that people have hope in us, be it in Khasi-Jaintia Hills or Garo Hills. We will leave nothing to chance and will try our best to live up to our promises. We will work for the people and I believe that we will lead the state in 2023 and guide the people in the right path,” said Kyrmen.
The meeting also saw induction of various youth leaders from the five districts with most of the 24 constituencies being represented.
Sengrak D Marak, a former GSU leader, was the first on the dais wherein he urged the central leadership of the party to lay stress on the local leadership in Garo Hills so that the region could give the party a bigger representation.
“We are willing to work hard for the party and its candidates but the central leadership needs to provide the right direction to the party in the region. We are yet to receive directions from the leadership of the setting up of an office in Tura to mobilise the party despite MDC, Ashahel D Shira willing to provide his own place. Without an office, things become haphazard. If the right focus is provided, we can give as many as 4-5 seats from here,” said Marak.
Manbha Syiemlieh, joint secretary of the UDP, sought to bust the myth of the party being Khasi-centric. He urged everyone present to go out of their way and work for the people.
“There are many leaders who only work for the elections. We need visionaries and that can be provided by the UDP. The leaders want to divide us with communal thoughts and this will not be allowed. We are inclusive and will remain so. Our party will continue to work for people of the state,” said Manbha.
Various speakers, during the function also sought to dismiss the notion of the party being seen as a Khasi party, stating that the same was just a political gimmick. They further added that the UDP was a party that had a very serious focus on the youth, not just as party workers but also as leaders of tomorrow.
Footballer-turned-politician, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, spoke of the essence of hope that politicians provided to the people while urging every party member to bring hope of a better tomorrow to the people they were going to represent.
“As leaders, we are a symbol of hope and are people of influence. It is very important that we influence people in the right way so that they have hope and are not misguided,” said Lyngdoh.
Youth wing vice president, Anand Marak, felt that there has been a lot of positive growth for the UDP.
“Be it in the MDC elections or the by-elections at Rajabala, we have seen growth in party ranks. We will continue this momentum in the days to come,” said Marak.