SHILLONG:
Veteran politician and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) MDC from Mawkynrew Martle N Mukhim yearns to have regional parties at the helm of governance as in the past.
Speaking to The Meghalayan, he said that regional parties should steer clear of conflict with one another and, instead, grab the opportunity to govern the state after the 2023 assembly elections as a number of national political parties would be in the fray.
“I appeal to all regional parties to maintain understanding and to work together and ensure that there is no conflict of interest. There will be many national parties such as the NPP, BJP and the Congress as well as some others that are likely to put up their candidates. We have to take the opportunity to come to an understanding to strengthen the regional force … I have a yearning to see our state being ruled by regional parties,” he said.
He recalled the time when he along with other regional party leaders had decided on unification, but which subsequently failed.
He said that it was way back in 1997 when there was an attempt to bring about unification and understanding amongst the regional parties comprising Hill People’s Union (HPU), Public Demands Implementation Convention (PDIC) and HSPDP, but a section of the HSPDP did not go for complete unity.
Mukhim said, “This is Indian democracy and it is good to see people participating in politics but what affects the most is the collision amongst the regional parties.”
He said that currently the regional parties are working towards mutual understanding, coordination and cooperation. “But I do not know how much this will work,” he said.
He maintained that he is a regional-minded citizen though not against national parties as he recalled that he had taken part in a number of programmes to discuss national issues.
He stressed that regional parties can best highlight and fulfill regional aspirations.
It may be mentioned that the prominent regional political parties – the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the HSPDP — have formed an alliance called the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA). The other parties are Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and People’s Democratic Front (PDF).
Asked if he would be running for the assembly elections, he said, “There are many people who have advised me to contest the elections. There are whispers doing the rounds whether Maheh (as he is fondly called) will stand for elections or not but I leave it to them to decide whether I am still fit or not.”
He said that he was advised to contest the 2019 Council elections irrespective of whether he won or not, but to get hold of his vote share as preparation for the 2023 elections.