UDP to sit in opposition

SHILLONG, MARCH 1: Blaming the use of money power for the party’s poor performance in the recently concluded Assembly elections, the United Democratic Party (UDP) on Friday decided not to join hands with Congress, its coalition partner in the outgoing government, and instead sit in the opposition.

UDP, which had fielded candidates in 50 out of the 60 Assembly seats, managed to win only eight seats, which is three less than its tally of 11 in the present House. The Congress, on the other hand, bagged 29 seats and is all set to form the next government.

“The people’s verdict indicates that the electorates don’t want us to sit in the government,” said UDP president Dr Donkupar Roy. Even though it was part of the coalition government, UDP had made it clear that it will have no truck with the Congress in the post-poll scenario.

Roy alleged money had played a dominant role in influencing voting, which was not a good thing for the state. “Three-four days before the elections voters were bought for votes,” he alleged, while alluding that he had not paid heed to suggestions made to him as party president to give tickets to people with money.

Asked if the UDP was on the wane, Roy said while the party had hit rock bottom, the only way it can go from here was up. “At present we are on the downward trend. We now hope to rise up since we have reached the bottom,” said a disappointed, but optimistic UDP president.

Thursday’s results were a huge setback for a party which had aims to form the next government in coalition with non-Congress parties, especially since many of its heavyweights had to bite the dust in the hustings. They included party’s working president and deputy chief minister Bindo M Lanong, who lost badly to Ampareen Lyngdoh of the Congress from East Shillong, and J. A .Lyngdoh, who had to taste defeat at the hands of Congress nominee Kennedy Khyriem from Mawphlang constituency.

The sitting UDP legislators who managed to buck the trend and win included party president Donkupar Roy (Shella), party working president Paul Lyngdoh (West Shillong), Metbah Lyngdoh (Mairang) and Remington Pyngrope (Mawkynrew).

Four new faces in the UDP list of winners are Embhahlang Syiemlieh (Mawlai), Titos Chyne (Sohra), Brolding Nongsiej (Mawthadraishan) and Jemino Mawthoh (Nongthymmai).  (By Our Reporter)