UDP hopes to lead next govt in state

MAWKYRWAT/ SHILLONG, June 26: The United Democratic Party (UDP) is optimistic about ‘leading’ the next government as many leaders – including MDCs – and supporters of other parties joined it and five to six non-UDP MLAs ‘decided’ to contest the polls on its ticket.
Speaking at a programme at Mawkyrwat where thousands of leaders and supporters of different political parties joined the party, UDP president, Metbah Lyngdoh said various efforts made in the past to bring the regional parties under one umbrella did not pay off.
But this time around, an effort is being made not by the political party but by the leaders and supporters of different political parties, he said.
He claimed the wave in favour of the UDP in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region is very high. He hoped the party will also win some seats in the Garo Hills region.
Lyngdoh said he did not expect such a huge crowd at the programme as the election is still seven to eight months away. He was confident the UDP would win from Mawkyrwat. He did not reveal the name of party’s candidate stating that the people know who it is.
He called upon those who joined to keep working hard to be able to maintain the party’s strength till the election. He asked the UDP leaders to take good care of the supporters stating the leaders of other political parties will now come to their houses, sit for hours and try to convince them to join their party.
Others who spoke include UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh, Mawthadraishan MLA Brolding Nongsiej, party vice president Allantry F Dkhar and some former leaders from HSPDP, Congress, PDF, NPP and BJP who joined the UDP.