SHILLONG:
Congress legislator from Mylliem Ronnie V Lyngdoh has hit out at the United Democratic Party (UDP) for “playing victims” and “washing its hands of many allegations of corruption” despite being part of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA-I) government for five years.
Lyngdoh was reacting to a question on whether the UDP will have an edge at the upcoming assembly polls in Sohiong.
“Whatever allegations made against the MDA, the UDP has always maintained that they were not part of it; they shifted the blame to the NPP. Now they have been exposed. If the allegations are true or not, they are equally to be blamed. They cannot wash their hands now,” he said.
Furthermore, he slammed the UDP for working with the NPP. “During elections, they said that they have nothing to do with the allegations. If you have nothing to do, why work with the same party you put the blame on?” he asked.
When asked whether Congress has a chance to win Sohiong, the Congress leader said the party’s outlook is beyond Sohiong.
“Look at the broader picture. Who are we fighting now? We are fighting against forces that try to divide the country, the citizens even on the basis of religion. Let us look at broader picture. Congress can address all these issues better because we have a pan-national presence,” he added.
Polling in Sohiong will be held on May 10 and counting on May 13. Election in this constituency was adjourned due to the sudden demise of UDP candidate and former minister HDR Lyngdoh on February 20.