Shillong, Jan 9: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has hit back at the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) for accusing it of being an “opportunist”.

“To say that we are opportunists and we are this and we are that, that is uncalled for. You should understand how democracy works. You should understand how politics work also,” UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said here.

His statement came after VPP spokesperson Batskhem Myrboh had recently alleged that the UDP is an opportunist and is playing holier than thou despite being part and parcel of the government in the state.

Mawthoh said that just because the VPP is on the other side of the fence, it cannot just throw mud at the UDP.

“Then what happened at that particular point of time after the (2023) Assembly elections, now VPP wanted to form a government with all other political parties. Is that possible? Now what do you call that? Is that possible? TMC, Congress, VPP, HSPDP, UDP, NCP – so we have to be realistic. Just because you are on the other side of the fence it doesn’t mean that you can throw mud at us,” he said.

Stating that the UDP has all along been playing a very constructive role, Mawthoh said, “We are living in an era of coalition politics and when the people have given their mandate, we have to be contended with that. It is accommodation that can be done as far as the government formation is concerned and as long as that understanding between coalition partners, there is nothing like it.”

“But we have never taken advantage of that because whenever we see that the government is going the wrong way, we never hesitate to point fingers at the government also and not only that, even at our own members in the party. So that is healthy in a democracy,” he added.

Mawthoh however said that the UDP is trying to restrain from mudslinging as it is fighting on its own strength.

Claiming that the UDP’s house is in order, the former Nongthymmai legislator said, “All MLAs and MDCs are intact except for those who are not original UDP MDCs – we are intact. We are not moving here and there. Our MLAs are also not moving here and there like others. So there are shortcomings that are there in the party, we try to iron out our differences and try to cultivate that culture of working together and we have been doing that for a very long time.”

“If you say opportunist, in what way do you say opportunist. Suppose later on if VPP does not get the required numbers and it has to join hands with someone else then what else do you call them at that particular time. If we can be part of the governance process and if we can contribute, why not, but that doesn’t mean if we are part and parcel of the government, we keep quiet on several issues. We never kept quiet,” he said while recalling the time when UDP took up issues with the government in regards to the home and power departments.

“Sometimes we told the government to even drop this minister and drop that minister why that is not an opportunist. We are living in an era of coalition politics, we need to understand,” he stated further.

On the other hand, Mawthoh pointed out the selection process of candidates by the VPP and said, “What VPP is doing you think is alright? What about their selection of candidates? I see a lot of friction happening everywhere because of the selection of candidates but we never point anything at them as it is their party they can do whatever we like and we as a party also we can do whatever we like but we put the interest of the people foremost.”

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