Meghalaya: RDA kicks off election campaign, focus on to ensure ‘no division of votes’

Robertjune Kharjahrin appealed the VPP to support the RDA in the parliamentary election so that there is no division of votes among the regional parties

Hectic politicking has already begun ahead of the Lok Sabha elections likely to be held as early as April this year. The picture is no different in Meghalaya too as parties have already geared up to reach out to the masses based on different agendas.

But this time, the regional forces UDP and HSPDP have decided to go together as the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) in the ensuing parliamentary elections only with the sole idea that there is no division of votes among the regional forces. This indeed seems to be a challenge of sorts for the national players like the BJP, Congress and even the NPP.

To take things forward, the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) in Meghalaya comprising the UDP and HSPDP on Tuesday formally kicked off its election campaign with the common candidate for the Shillong Parliamentary seat, Robertjune Kharjahrin.

Kharjahrin who has already prioritized his agendas has said that even the Voice of the People’s Party (VPP) must also join the RDA and help him in fighting the elections and make sure that there is no division of votes. The RDA candidate has even pledged to raise issues in the Parliament for which the VPP has been standing for.

Kharjahrin speaking to Northeast Live said, “I am a regional minded person and I respect all the regional party including the VPP. But I do feel that in winning the MP election the VPP along with the HSPDP has a much better chance. We have 14 MLAs, so many MDCs, I dont underestimate any opponent be it VPP, be it BJP, be it NPP or Congress or whoever. I respect all my opponents but if we go in terms of numbers- number of MLAs, number of MDCs and if we go by the vote share that we got in the last assembly election, we are far ahead of VPP and I appeal to the supporters of VPP, let’s not waste any vote in a VPP candidate because that we land up in dividing the regional votes. So lets vote for RDA because we have much better chance in securing the seat. I pledge that any issue which the VPP wants to take up, I will raise those in the Parliament. Lets not divide the vote into so many party and try to consolidate the regional vote into one. I believe RDA is the proper alliance to win the election on behalf of the regional parties.”

UDP leader Metbah Lyngdoh is also confident that the decision of the UDP and HSPDP to join hands will yield results. He said that previous election results have proved that both the forces combined have a larger vote share as compared to other parties.

Lyngdoh said, “In any kind of competition there is always a fight. If you look at many elections in the past when you combine the vote share of the regional parties, they are always ahead and always stands Number 1. These are the facts and figures which convince both the regional parties- the UDP and HSPDP- that we have to come together and fight with one candidate only. Because the experience in the past was that whenever there is a division between UDP and HSPDP, the other political parties which are the national political parties will always secure the seats. But when it comes to working together-the UDP and the HSPDP they always take the seats. So this time I am very convinced to give you a message that from the UDP side all the elected members, all the party functionaries, office bearers in one voice have agreed in principle RObert June Kharjahrin as the candidate.”

Also Read: Meghalaya Lokayukta Row: VPP decides to temporarily keep agitation on hold

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