SHILLONG:
The unity of regional parties seems to be a far cry from reality as leaders of different regional parties have different take on the subject.
Stating that talks of unity will depend on other regional parties, the general secretary of United Democratic Party (UDP), Jemino Mawthoh said unification of regional parties will strengthen its force in the state.
“We need to have one strong formidable force in the state as we know that unity is strength. There is no difficulty in coming together but due to few ego-centric leaders, unification is facing impediment in the state. Too many splinter groups do not help,” he added.
He went on to add that the public is also rooting for all the regional parties to come together.
However, the idea of unification does not seem to appeal to the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).
Party president KP Pangngiang is instead batting for improving ‘alliance’ with regional parties. “There is no such thing as unification; we are for alliance just as we are with the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA). We want to improve the alliance. We respect other regional parties. I feel regional parties are much more suitable to our state if we have to preserve our identity, our status, our ideology,” Pangngiang said.
He went on to say that national parties have their own ideology with national interests and outlook. Pangngiang was strongly of the view to maintain, protect and promote regional parties.
Both the party leaders however agree that regional parties share the same concern and issues even if they belong to different factions.
Mawthoh said that it is a continuing effort and the party is reaching out to others for unification as well.
When pointed out that people’s mandate is different as they choose national parties, Mawthoh confidently states that the trend is changing currently. As for the prospects of the party, he said, “The feel-good factor is in the UDP.”
Again, speaking to general secretary of People’s Democratic Front (PDF) Auspicious Lyngdoh Mawphlang welcomed the idea of unification although he felt that certain issues need to be addressed by regional parties.
“As a party we are open but there are certain issues that need to be addressed first, these are issues of border dispute, strengthening village administration, reservation policy, transport policy, agriculture policy etc,” PDF genereal secretary Auspicious Lyngdoh Mawphlang said.
He added that the move for unification has not been discussed at the party level. However, he stressed that the cry for unification should not be raised only before the elections.