SHILLONG, May 29: The unity of the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) is under threat as the HSPDP on Friday pointedly withheld its endorsement of the UDP’s Lok Sabha candidate, Vivan GK Kynta, just 24 hours after his formal unveiling.
While the UDP and HSPDP have traditionally backed a common nominee to consolidate the Khasi-Jaintia vote, the HSPDP’s refusal to immediately back the senior lawyer suggests a significant rift within the regional front.
The uncertainty follows the UDP’s formal announcement on Tuesday naming Kynta as its candidate for the Shillong parliamentary seat. Despite the two parties being the primary constituents of the RDA, the HSPDP was conspicuously non-committal following the announcement.
HSPDP general secretary P Ryntathiang indicated that the party is stalling on a final decision. While acknowledging that the HSPDP is a member of the alliance and has held several rounds of discussions with the UDP, he noted that internal deliberations are still ongoing.
“We have met several times with the UDP, but we are yet to take a final call. No doubt we are part and parcel of the RDA, but as of now we feel it is better to go into the details regarding the MP election,” Ryntathiang said.
The general secretary refused to clarify whether the party would eventually support Kynta or consider fielding its own candidate. “As of now, I cannot tell you whether we support or not. Next week we will give clarification on this matter,” he added.
The HSPDP’s “cautious” stance marks a departure from previous elections where both parties moved in lockstep. In the high-stakes battle for the Shillong seat, any failure to consolidate the regional vote would provide a massive advantage to the NPP and the Congress.
With a multi-cornered contest looming, the HSPDP’s eventual decision will determine whether the RDA remains a united force or becomes a marriage of convenience facing collapse before the race even starts.
