Tongkhar rationalises decision to join UDP

SHILLONG, Nov 17: Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) leader and sitting Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton L Tongkhar on Thursday justified his decision to join the United Democratic Party (UDP).
Speaking to reporters here, Tongkhar said he has decided to join the UDP as he wants to see only one regional party in Meghalaya.
“I want to see that the dream to have only one regional party in the state becomes a reality. It is with this objective in mind I decided to join the UDP,” Tongkhar said.
Dismissing the reports that claimed that he was poached by the UDP, the HSPDP leader said that one should be mature enough to take decisions that serve the interest of the state in general and one’s constituency in particular.
“We don’t need to be poached or fall prey to a trap by any political party,” Tongkhar maintained.
Admitting that his decision did evoke mixed reactions, the HSPDP leader said he is waiting for the right time to join the UDP.
“There is a section of people who suggested that I should stick with the HSPDP. But I had maintained that the decision was taken after consulting with my leaders and supporters,” he said.
On the decision of the HSPDP to field Medalson Lyngdoh Tongkhar from Mawkyrwat against him in the upcoming Assembly polls, Tongkhar said he does not see anything wrong in that.
“It will send wrong signal to the people if the HSPDP does not field a candidate from Mawkyrwat,” the HSPDP leader said.