SHILLONG:
The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Wednesday made it clear that it won’t be going for any pre-poll alliance, which in all probability means that the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) will be ditched ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections.
“We may have understanding with some like-minded parties but not pre-poll alliance,” Titosstarwell Chyne, East Khasi Hills district president of the UDP, said.
It may be mentioned that the UDP and the HSPDP ahead of 2018 formed a pre-poll alliance, the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA).
The RDA won eight seats in the 2018 elections – the break-up being UDP six and HSPDP two.
Chyne also informed that the UDP is planning to contest maximum seats in the upcoming 2023 assembly elections.
However, the East Khasi Hills district president informed that from Garo Hills the party may contest in about 10-15 seats.
“But in Khasi-Jaintia Hills we will contest in all the 36 seats,” he added.
Chyne also informed that the UDP would stress on having a clean government.
“We want a corruption-free government. We want a government which would provide employment to the youths, we want to earn more revenue for the state,” he said.
He also informed that the UDP will not project any chief ministerial candidate.
On allegations of corruption against the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government Chyne reiterated, “I have given a clear statement that any minister, any officer, who is involved in corruption should be punished.”
When asked why the UDP does not withdraw support from the alliance, Chyne said that only eight months were left for the elections.
“What is the use of pulling out from the government…what is the benefit,” he asked.