SHILLONG:
Former president of Federation of Khasi Jaintia Garo People (FKJGP), Wellbirth Rani, and journalist Monarch Shabong joined the United Democratic Party (UDP) on Wednesday.
They were inducted in the party in the presence of party president Metbah Lyngdoh, general secretary Jemino Mawthoh, other senior party leaders and supporters in a function here.
Addressing the gathering, Lyngdoh said, “UDP is united and working cohesively. If there is no unity and teamwork in any organisation, political party or society, it can’t achieve its goals,” Lyngdoh said.
Urging the party workers to prepare for the 2023 polls, he said that the party expects from Rani and Shabong to give their all to the team.
Lyngdoh expects the UDP to do exceptionally well in the 2023 polls by winning more than 30 seats. “I don’t want to work with people who would say that they are satisfied with 16 to 17 seats. I want to work with those who can say that we will win 30 plus seats,” he said.
Lyngdoh said that citizens of the state are now on UDP’s side and it is left to the leaders of the party how to translate that support into a win.
Shabong, while speaking at the function, said that over the years the regional parties of the state have been deprived of ruling Meghalaya by national parties.
Meanwhile, Rani in his speech said that it is with the spirit of regionalism that he joined the UDP. “I am joining the party for the betterment and the interest of the party,” Rani said.
EX-NYC LEADER JOINS BJP
Former general secretary of the state Nationalist Youth Congress (NYC), Dapkupar Nongrum, along with supporters of different political parties on Wednesday joined the BJP.
Speaking to reporters, BJP state president Ernest Mawrie said that Nongrum has initiated to invite the joining of over 100 supporters of different political parties which include Congress and KHNAM from East Shillong and North Shillong constituencies.
“It is a great achievement for the BJP in the state,” he said. According to him, this will further increase the membership of the party, which at present numbers 18 crore.
He said such joining will continue till next year when Meghalaya goes for fresh polls.