Pre-poll alliance move in right direction: Roy
SHILLONG: UDP leader Donkupar Roy on Saturday said the move for a pre-poll alliance was in the right direction and hoped that things will be clear in the middle of 2017.
He also urged the educated youths in the State to join politics to change the pattern of governance.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on the eve of New Year, Roy said the UDP will continue its efforts to have a pre-poll alliance.
“We are continuing our efforts and it is moving in the right direction. In principle, we agree to have a pre-poll understanding. But whether this should be seat adjustments or friendly contests will be decided in due course of time,” Roy said.
According to the former chief minister, the clear picture will emerge only by April-May 2017.
Asked whether friendly contests in 2018 when every political party will be fielding candidates, will only be advantageous to the Congress, Roy said, “ If the players know how to play, this will be very much advantageous to the players themselves and not to anybody else.”
Commenting on the drawbacks of 2016, the UDP president said there should be a change in the coming years. “We will try our best to achieve this change,” he said.
According to Roy, the mission of the party in 2017 is to win the election in 2018 and to form a new government.
He said the people expect UDP and other non-Congress political parties to perform better in 2018.
“I expect good candidates, especially the educated youths, to join politics. Many of our qualified youths should join politics to have a change in 2018 and this will prevent the trend of those who use money power and the businessmen contesting and winning the polls,” he added.
Roy said he is worried about the use of money power in elections which, according to him, is one of the factors, which make many educated youths reluctant to join politics.
“However it depends, if people want a change, they should not run after people who have money, but instead elect the deserving candidates,” Roy said.
Stating that the UDP will have its own tricks in the next Assembly polls to take on the Congress, Roy said the elections, which was won by the Congress in 2013 using money power, will not be the same in 2018 when there will be less money due to demonetisation.
