UDP-HSPDP to come up with common candidate for MP election from Shillong

The United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) under the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) have decided to come up with a common candidate from Shillong parliamentary seat for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, slated to be held next year.

The two regional political parties are yet to decide who among the three names – Khasi Author Society (KAS) president Dr DRL Nonglait, former HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin and former Mawlai legislator Process T Sawkmie – which have been doing the round will be the common candidate of the RDA.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, UDP general secretary Dr Jemino Mawthoh has urged the other regional political parties to also come together and take collective decisions on the common candidate.

“If there are other regional political parties who want to support this move, we are ready to work with them. We want to see unity among the regional political parties in the state,” he said.

He said that the UDP and the HSPDP are the two regional political parties, which have been working together for the cause of the indigenous people.

To a query, Mawthoh said that they have not discussed anything on whether to approach the voice of the people’s party (VPP).

“If we have to talk to the VPP, I don’t think it will be wrong. We are regional parties and we have the same common agendas,” he said.