UDP says time will tell if VPP can replace regional parties

SHILLONG, June 18: The UDP on Tuesday said only time will tell if the Voice of the People Party (VPP) can replace the other regional parties in the state.
UDP legislator and senior leader Mayralborn Syiem said the VPP will have to first pass the test in the elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
The UDP and the other regional parties had performed poorly in the last Lok Sabha elections and now, their ties with the BJP are being blamed for their poll debacle.
Syiem said the UDP high command will decide in case the party’s ties with the BJP are to be reviewed.
He said it is an era of coalition politics and pointed out that even the BJP had to take the help of smaller political parties to form a government at the Centre.
Recalling that it was only in 1972 when the All Party Hill Leaders Conference had obtained a majority and formed a government on its own, Syiem said in a coalition, there are compulsions where every political party has to adjust and balance issues.
There is always push and pull in politics, he said and added that he respects the mandate of the people.