SHILLONG: The Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) has announced a major shift in its electoral strategy for the upcoming Shillong Parliamentary Seat by-election, declaring it will not support the United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate.
This decision marks a significant departure from previous elections, where the HSPDP, as a long-standing partner in the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA), actively campaigned for the UDP candidate under the shared alliance banner.
According to HSPDP leadership, after careful deliberation, the party strongly desired to contest the election using its own official party symbol. Despite discussions within the alliance, the two major regional parties could not reach a consensus on a common symbol. The HSPDP clarified that this divergence is not due to animosity or opposition to the UDP, but arises from a natural desire to assert and grow its own identity as a distinct political force.
The inability to resolve the issue amicably was attributed mainly to time constraints during negotiations.
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While the UDP proceeded with its own candidate selection, the HSPDP focused on ensuring that the RDA alliance would continue to address broader issues affecting Meghalaya. However, since the HSPDP was unable to finalize its own candidate, the party has made it clear that it will neither field a candidate nor partner with the UDP in this by-election.
Opting for complete neutrality, the HSPDP’s leadership has chosen not to issue any official directive on whom to support. Instead, the party has left the decision to the discretion of its grassroots members at the district, constituency, and primary unit levels.
The HSPDP reaffirmed that it has no involvement in the UDP’s current candidate selection, underscoring its independent stance for this by-election.
(4FrontMedia news)
