SHILLONG, July 22: After largely playing second fiddle to the National People’s Party in the MDA government, the leaders of the United Democratic Party (UDP) believe their party will be the ‘team A’ in the 2023 polls.
UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh on Friday said his party was confident of forming the government in less than a year. He insisted his party will no longer be labelled as the ‘team B’ of any other political party in 2023.
Claiming many sitting MLAs and MDCs from other political parties will be joining the UDP very soon, he said the formation and entrance of new political parties like the Voice of People’s Party and the Trinamool Congress were clear indications about his party’s prospects.
On Meghalaya completing 50 years, Mawthoh said the state witnessed growth in some sectors while some key sectors took a beating due to various reasons.
“Of utmost importance is the financial health of a state. Meghalaya is not an income-generating state and proper financial management and plugging the loopholes in revenue generation are the need of the hour,” he said.
The UDP has already formed a committee for framing its party manifesto for the upcoming Assembly polls.
BJP to channelise ticket allotment
As part of its preparation for the 2023 assembly polls, the state BJP held a state executive meeting on Friday and resolved to channelise the allotment of party tickets.
State BJP president Ernest Mawrie asked party leaders to refrain from making tall claims of having got the approval of central leaders in Delhi for tickets, and said that BJP has not allotted tickets yet.
“When the time comes, applications will be called for. Anyone associated with the party can apply for the ticket. We will go to Delhi for final approval from the central parliamentary committee headed by the Prime Minister,” Mawrie said.
The meeting on Friday also resolved to strengthen the party’s base by creating morchas and strategies for the 2023 polls.
Asked if any sitting or former legislator was joining the party, Mawrie said the details would be disclosed at an appropriate time.