\SHILLONG, Dec 31: The upcoming Assembly elections in the state will be a litmus test for most regional parties.
Barring the United Democratic Party (UDP), many smaller regional parties are struggling in the absence of strong political organisations at the grassroots level.
The Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) had a solid base in the constituencies under West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and the newly-created East West Khasi Hills when party biggie Hopingstone Lyngdoh was alive. Even as the party is battling to regain the lost ground, its two legislators, Cabinet Minister Renikton L Tongkhar and Samlin Malngiang, are likely to desert it ahead of the polls.
Tongkhar has already informed party leadership that he will not contest from the party. Malngiang has not yet disclosed his plan. However, according to reports, Tongkhar is planning to contest on a UDP ticket while Malngiang will contest as a candidate of the National People’s Party (NPP).
Recently, the HSPDP sought the support of the 36 legislators and the 60 MDCs of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills for the creation of a separate state for the region. The party had taken the statehood demand to New Delhi. It was raised under the banner of the Federation of New State Demand Committee.
The HSPDP is a part of the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) which also has the UDP as a component. Both parties decided to remain in the RDA but ruled out any alignment in the polls.
On the other hand, the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), which had won four seats in the last elections, will also lose two MLAs. Cabinet Minister Hamletson Dohling and Umsning MLA Jason S Mawlong are joining the NPP. The two others – party president Gavin Miguel Mylliem and Cabinet Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh – have decided to contest on the party’s tickets.
The PDF, which was formed with much fanfare ahead of the last elections, is expected to contest from a few seats.
Meanwhile, the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) is unlikely to field any candidate. KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saibon had stated the party is not preparing to contest the polls. He said nobody approached the party leaders for a ticket.
KHNAM’s lone legislator Adelbert Nongrum has already announced he will join the Voice of the People Party (VPP). The VPP and the KAM Meghalaya will be two new regional parties in the poll fray.
Social activists Angela Rangad and Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh were instrumental in the formation of the KAM Meghalaya. The KAM Meghalaya, a political platform based on the principles of justice, equality and mutual respect, will field three candidates – Rangad (South Shillong), Pyrtuh (North Shillong) and Wanpynhun Kharsyntiew (East Shillong).
They will contest as independent candidates as the process to register their party with the Election Commission of India will take time.
The VPP was formed with a promise to give people a corruption-free government. Former legislator and party president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit had said the party wants to educate people on the role and influence of “money and businessmen” in elections.
The UDP, a major regional party in the state, is hopeful people will consider it as the alternative to lead the next government. At the moment, the party has no plans to work with any political party after next year’s polls.
UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh had recently exuded confidence the UDP would get an absolute majority.
“Coalition with another party is a second option. Our focus at the moment is to be the single largest party,” he had said.
