UDP for alliance with regional parties in Meghalaya ADC polls

The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) in Meghalaya today expressed its willingness for a post-poll alliance with other regional parties sans the ruling Congress to form the executive committee in the two autonomous councils - KHADC and JHADC.
Polling to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) concluded yesterday and counting will be held on February 27 in which the fate of 212 candidates of ten political parties who contested for the 58 seats would be decided.
"Even if we get absolute majority in both the councils, we would still want regional parties like the Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP), Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) and others to work with us," UDP president Donkupar Roy said.

All regional parties need to be united to ensure that the Congress is weakened in Meghalaya, he said.
The UDP which was part of the ruling Congress coalition government in the last Meghalaya United Alliance government regretted working with the Congress.
The UDP chief said working with the Congress both at the state and district council levels in the past was only a compulsion for the party.

Roy exhorted confidence that his party would get the magic-number to form the new executive committee at least in the KHADC and hoped to secure at least 10 seats in the JHADC.
The party has also decided it would not seek alignment with the Congress in either of the councils claiming that the UDP has had some kind of "understanding" with the independent candidates in the JHADC, he said.

The UDP had fielded 45 candidates in both the councils, the largest regional party after the Congress, which contested in all 58 seats.