Shillong, Aug 6: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has decided to gear up its preparation for the upcoming Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections.
Speaking to reporters after the CEC meeting, UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh said, “We are yet to know when the ADC elections are going to be held but we feel it is high time for the party to reorganize itself at the state, district and block level as part of gearing up its preparation.”
“We are yet to invite applications but we have started the process. We have asked the blocks and districts to identify candidates,” he said.
Tenure of the two ADCs – Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) – have been extended for six months, which will soon expire.
According to him, the majority of the sitting MDCs of the party will seek re-election in the upcoming ADC polls.
Lyngdoh further said that sitting MDCs from other political parties have also expressed their interest to contest the elections on a UDP ticket. “We are still in the talking stage before finalising the matter,” he said.
The UDP chief also refuted allegations that some of the sitting MDCs and MLAs are likely to shift allegiance and said “it is just mere speculation without any truth in it”.
On whether VPP is a threat to the regional party’s chances, Lyngdoh replied, “We are ready to fight with any political party in the upcoming MDC elections. We will fight based on the strength and principles of the party.”
He also maintained that the party and its alliance partner Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) will continue to work together under the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA). “We are very clear on this that the RDA will continue,” Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, the party also discussed the report on the poor performance of the UDP in the Lok Sabha elections from Shillong parliamentary seat.
Stating that he had visited a few villages post the MP elections, Lyngdoh said, “I have met people in these villages and they said that for MP elections, we supported other parties but MDC and MLA elections, we will stick with the UDP. Another reason pointed out by them was the fact that I was not the candidate so they felt it is okay to support other parties.”
“Therefore, I am confident that the MP elections will not affect the party in the MDC elections as it totally depends on us to give the best candidates and highlight the issues taken up by the party for the interest and welfare of the people of the state,” he said.
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