Shillong: The United Democratic Party plans to review its alliance with the Hill State People's Democratic Party after the upcoming Lok Sabha by-election. HSPDP leaders opted for neutrality instead of backing the UDP candidate. This breaks their traditional Regional Democratic Alliance cooperation. Titosstarwell Chyne, the UDP general secretary, dismissed talk of internal party fractures. He labeled any current friction as nothing more than disagreements within a large family.
Chyne confirmed the two parties will meet after the vote. They need to address recent friction and decide the future of their partnership. "The two parties will have to decide at that stage whether to continue the existing arrangement or discontinue it," Chyne said. The result of that meeting determines the future of their regional alignment. For now, the party remains focused on the electoral contest.
Separately, the UDP is tracking changes to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. A delegation of eight MLAs and one cabinet minister met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the Bill. The party fears the amendments could hurt the indigenous people of Meghalaya. Since the government referred the Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, the party expects a fair hearing. "The referral to the JPC allows for further discussion, and we are confident the concerns of the people of Meghalaya will be taken into account," Chyne stated. The UDP now waits for the committee to examine their grievances.
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