HSPDP calls for unity of regional forces ahead of 2023 Assembly polls

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 27, 2021

The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) on Monday called for unity of the regional parties under the umbrella of the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) to ensure a regional government is installed in Meghalaya after 2023 Assembly polls. 

The decision was taken at the General Executive Council (GEC) meeting of the HSPDP held in the city here. 

The RDA was formed between the HSPDP and the United Democratic Party (UDP) ahead of the 2018 Assembly polls.  

Addressing media persons, HSPDP president KP Pangniang said the party has resolved to extend its cooperation and alliance with all the regional parties with an aim to strengthen the regional forces in the state.

“We (therefore) request all the regional parties of the state like the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and others to come under the RDA so that we can rebuild the regional forces, regional identity and formation of a new regional government in the state,” Pangniang stated. 

HSPDP leader and cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar said that the GEC have unanimously expressed the need for the party to work together with other regional parties. 

“We want to ensure we respect each other and we hope by that spirit we will be able to win more seats in the next election,” he added.

Stating that the entrance of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) will not at all affect the regional parties in the state, Tongkhar said, “It is better for the regional forces due to the political situation. Now TMC comes, Congress is still there, BJP is there, NPP is there…I think this itself clearly show that it is good time for the regional parties to work together.”

When asked, Pangnang however said that the HSPDP is trying to reach out to all regional parties on the importance of unity amongst them for the 2023 Assembly elections.

“We are trying to approach them (PDF, KHNAM) positively. we are yet to know they are wiling or not but to my knowledge and information I feel that hopefully they will come and work together under the umbrella of the RDA,” he further added. 

To another question, Pangniang said the HSPDP and UDP have done it and now both are running the present MDA government. 

Supplementing his view, Tongkhar said that the fruit of unity had already happened in 2018 election. He cited, “I won the election from Mawkyrwat because we work together with the UDP. In Sohiong, Samlin Malngiang also won the election because we work together with the UDP.

This is the fruit of unity and I think it would be better (for all regional forces to work together) in 2023.”

If this move is towards merging all regional parties under one party, senior HSPDP leader and KHADC executive member Martle Mukhim however said that cooperation and coordination is not a question of merger but it is the question of working together under the umbrella of the RDA.