UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh expressed confidence in securing more seats in the District Council, emphasizing that the party’s leadership would assess the post-election scenario before making any decisions about forming an alliance. He highlighted the importance of ensuring stable governance in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and avoiding a situation where administrative intervention becomes necessary.
“Well, I’m not jumping the gun right now. Let’s see what happens on the 24th, what kind of numbers emerge? The party-wise tally and also I should not make up the mind of those who will be elected under 24th. It is basically they who will have to take the call along with the party leadership. So let’s wait for the 24th,” Lyngdoh said.
Addressing potential alliances in the event of no party securing a clear majority, he emphasized the importance of maintaining leadership within the council. “We cannot leave the council without any leadership and not can we leave it to the hands of the administrator because obviously, that will happen when no combination of parties coming together to form the EC then only then only the district Administration steps in. So we would like to avoid that kind of a situation because it would be something like inviting president’s rule in the state.”
Confident in UDP’s prospects, Lyngdoh remarked, “Well, I have always maintained that the greatest competition is not between us and any rivals but between who we are, and what we are capable of becoming. I’m very confident that we will be leading the next EC in the KHADC predictions and indications are that the UDP will do very well across all the districts of the Khasi Hills areas and here in Jaiaw constituency, we are super confident of making it to the top.”
Commenting on UDP’s performance in the recent MP elections, Lyngdoh dismissed concerns, asserting that each election is distinct. “That was a different election altogether, every election is primarily different from the other and this time around with the intensification of the canvassing by party leaders and cadres and elections being voted on local issues and with Public being sensitized about the number of challenges facing the KHADC. I’m sure that we have been able to drive home our points and we will emerge victorious.”
With UDP’s confidence running high, all eyes are on the election results to determine the party’s influence in shaping the next Executive Committee of the KHADC.