SHILLONG, July 9: In a clear signal of shifting political calculations within the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA), the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has decided against supporting the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate in the upcoming Shillong parliamentary by-election and will instead maintain a neutral stance.
The move marks a departure from the two parties’ past electoral understanding, under which the HSPDP had actively campaigned for UDP candidates as part of their RDA partnership. This time, the HSPDP leadership had sought to contest the by-election on its own symbol, but talks with its alliance partner failed to yield an agreement.
With the UDP moving ahead with its candidate selection and the HSPDP unable to finalise its own nominee in time, the party chose to stay out of the contest altogether rather than extend support to the UDP. Significantly, the HSPDP has also decided against issuing any central directive to its members and supporters on whom to back, leaving the choice to district, constituency and primary unit-level functionaries.
The party has made it clear that it played no role in the UDP’s candidate selection process and will not participate in its campaign. At the same time, the HSPDP has sought to insulate the broader RDA from the electoral disagreement, stating that the decision stems not from hostility but from its desire to strengthen its own political identity and organisational presence in the region.
Efforts were made to reach a consensus on the electoral arrangement and the question of the symbol, but discussions could not be concluded due to time constraints. Despite contesting the bypoll separately, both parties have agreed to keep the RDA intact for jointly addressing larger issues concerning Meghalaya.
The development leaves the UDP entering the Shillong by-election without the formal organisational backing of its long-standing RDA partner, even as the two parties continue to share a broader regional platform on governance matters. The move is being seen as an assertion of political independence by the HSPDP at a time when regional alliances are being tested ahead of the bypoll.
