The central executive committee of the United Democratic Party (UDP) today held a meeting to discuss and review the performance of the party in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Speaking to media persons, general secretary of the UDP Jemino Mawthoh said that the party has received reports from different constituencies and districts of the state and the party has expected to win more seats but unfortunately it could garner only 11 seats.
Mawthoh said that even though the party could not win a single seat in Garo Hills and could only garner11 seats yet the vote share of the UDP especially in Khasi-Jaintia Hills has increased to around 24.62% compare to the vote share of NPP which is about 26.44%.
“Even though we could win only seats and could not be king maker to form the government yet with 24.62% of vote share is an indication that UDP is also doing quite well as far as Khasi and Jaintia Hills is concern” said Mawthoh.
Mawthoh said that there are many factors which led to the party’s defeat in many constituencies in the recently concluded election and one cannot say that it is because of money factor or because of the candidate as there is a need to look at so many things in election.
“One of the reason as far as Khasi-Jaintia Hills is concern is the anti MDA sentiments because there were a few of unfortunate incidents happening in the state of Meghalaya which goes against the MDA, so that must be one of the factor which has led to the disinclination of the people to votes for the UDP” he added.
He added that the mood in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills sector is the need to have an alternative government but unfortunately people have given the mandate and people have chosen and although the UDP and other regional parties tried to form an alternative government yet it failed as the regional parties could get only 19 seats.
“Is it possible to form a government with just 19 MLAs and even if we rope in the national parties, what kind of government would that be, it will be a khirchi government, right? And it will be a very fragile government” said Mawthoh.
When asked on the UDP stand on the Governor address in Hindi, Mawthoh said that though the party did not discuss these issues, it is quite unfortunate to see that this kind of thing is happening in the assembly.
Mawthoh added that by and large from the point of view of the people of Meghalaya, people would prefer a language that is communicable to the people at large hence that is the general feeling of the people.
“Assembly is a forum where you are given the opportunity to express in any language so it also depends on those leaders who are there but people would prefer a language that is communicable to all by and large” he added.