Cong, UDP to fight alone; HSPDP, KHNAM forge alliance

Shillong, Aug 9 (UNI) Former Chief Minister Salseng C Marak today said Congress, the major ruling partner of the coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance ministry, will go alone in the coming Meghalaya Assembly elections.

The United Democratic Party, too, has decided not to go for a pre-poll alliance with any political party. However, the Hill State People's Democratic Party and Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement had forged a pre-poll alliance to fight the Assembly elections.

Talking to UNI, Mr Marak, a senior Congress leader, said although regional parties were the allies of the Congress-led government, '' We will be fighting the elections on our own and they their own way,'' he told UNI here today.

The UDP (8), Meghalaya Democratic Party (4), HSPDP (2) and KHNAM (2) have supported the Congress in the formation of MDA government.

Informing that the Congress will contest all the 60 assembly seats, Mr Marak, who lost the last polls by a narrow margin to NCP MLA Timothy D Shira said, ''If tickets were given to right candidates, the Congress will get absolute majority and lead the government.'' He, however, expressed his disappointment on the ''infighting'' within the Congress, which he felt might spoil the Congress prospects in the polls. ''The frequent change of leadership in the state have affected the Congress,'' Mr Marak, recalling the reinstatement of Mr D D Lapang as Chief Minister.

'' We have to be united now and leave our past behind to face the people,'' the senior Congress leader said.

Deputy Chief Minister and UDP leader, Dr Donkupar Roy yesterday announced that his party has decided to contest in 50 of the 60-assembly constituency in the elections.

He also informed that the UDP would declare the names of their candidates on September 11.

Dr Roy, who is also the president of the UDP, said that his party has decided to fight the polls alone. ''We will perform much better this time and give the other parties a surprise,'' he said.

UNI