SHILLONG, June 6: Sending the political factions to speculate over which MLA will desert their respective parties and when, United Democratic Party (UDP) chief Metbah Lyngdoh on Wednesday revealed the “fact” that some sitting MLAs from Garo Hills region will play for the UDP in the upcoming assembly polls.
“I am not just claiming. It is a fact that there are sitting MLAs from Garo Hills who are keen to contest on a UDP ticket,” Lyngdoh said while addressing a gathering at the induction ceremony of former Director Health Services (MI), Dr Aman War into the party which was held at National Dorbar Hall, Mawkhar.
Moreover, War is all set to be the official candidate of the UDP from North Shillong constituency for 2023 polls.
Lyngdoh said that the party is targeting more than 30 seats in the elections with eye on forming its own government.
He, however, acknowledges the possibility to form an alliance if the UDP wins around 20 seats. “Our target should be to form the government on our own. This can happen if the party is able to strengthen its bas even in Garo Hills region besides Khasi and Jaintia Hills region,” the UDP chief said.
Ruling out any effort to unify the regional forces by constituting a new party, he said, “We have miserably failed in our attempt to unite the regional parties in the past. But now I would urge upon leaders from various political parties to join the party (UDP) in an attempt to strengthen the regional force in the state,” he said.
New UDP member, Dr Aman War, in his address, thanked the party’s leadership for reposing faith on him to contest for North Shillong seat. “I would admit that I am still a rookie in politics. But I am sure that I will be able to make a mark with the guidance and advice of senior leaders of the party,” Dr War said.
War had retired from the post of DHS (MI) on June 30, and the very next day began his preparation for polls.
Earlier in the day, the UDP’s party office of North Shillong constituency was also inaugurated.
Former MDCs leave parties
However, UDP have a minor bad news coming their with the resignation of former MDC of Malki-Laitumkhrah, Antonio War, from the party becoming official in a day or two.
Antonio War is among the three former MDCs of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) who have decided to leave their respective political parties.
The other two are former MDCs Hadrian Lyngdoh (Mawkyrwat) and Albinus Lyngdoh (Umroi) who have resigned from the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) on Tuesday.
The three ex-MDCs are however undecided on a potential political camp to shift to.
Talking to reporters, Hadrian Lyngdoh said he has no plans to contest the 2023 assembly polls, while censuring PDF stating that the party has no following in Mawkyrwat since majority of the people either support the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), United Democratic Party (UDP) or the Congress.
Former Malki-Nongthymmai MDC, Antonio War was discreet about which party he would join but made it amply clear that he would quit the UDP.
“I am leaving the UDP since the party has failed to raise many of important issues. I want to be in a party which speaks about issue affecting the people,” he said.
