It’s UDP’s dream to unify all regional parties: President Metbah Lyngdoh

“Attempts have been made in the past,” he said, “but, at the end of the day, we have seen that we could not”. He added that there were different reasons for why this has been impossible, but noted that it still remains a goal for the UDP.

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SHILLONG:

The United Democratic Party's (UDP) chief Metbah Lyngdoh, who is also the current Assembly Speaker, said it was the dream of the former UDP President (L) Dr Donkupar Roy to unify regional forces in the state.

“Attempts have been made in the past,” he said, “but, at the end of the day, we have seen that we could not”. He added that there were different reasons for why this has been impossible, but noted that it still remains a goal for the UDP.

Nevertheless, Lyngdoh said it was important to continue “interacting” and “sharing” with regional parties, and not lose hope in the ideal.

Lyngdoh’s statement comes a day after former Nongkrem legislator Ardent Miller Basaïawmoit announced his decision to float a new regional party, Voice of the People.

In Meghalaya, there are at least three more regional parties, besides Voice of the People and UDP, in Meghalaya, namely, Hill State People’s Democratic Party, Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement and People’s Democratic Front that have attracted a sizable following in recent years.

However, Lyngdoh added that the UDP is the only party that has operated in the state for a considerable time, and has enough support of the people, even if the party has not always been at its best. In the end, he said, it is the people who will decide the fate of the party.

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