Shillong,May 25: In a significant development which may impact the state’s political scenario, United Democratic Party (UDP) and Hills State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) have joined hands to take on ruling Congress in 2018 election. The decision to this effect was taken during a joint meeting of both the parties held in Shillong on Thursday.

Informing this after the meeting, HSPDP President and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit said that this day will be remembered in the state of Meghalaya as a historic day as this is for the first time two regional parties have decided to have pre-poll alliance before an important election.

The alliance will concentrate on 36 constituencies of Khasi-Jaintia and Ri-Bhoi area, Basaiawmoit said adding that HSPDP would extend support to UDP to make the alliance stronger.

The UDP Donkupar Roy said, “We have agreed to work together in the 36 legislative segments of Khasi-Jaintia Hills to come to come to power”.

The formation of this alliance between this two prominent parties in the Khasi Hills Region is to ensure that in 2018 there is a non-Congress government in the state, Dr Roy said adding that a Coordination committee is formed to finalize the modalities of the alliance.

They have formed the UDP-HSPDP Coordination Committee, where Dr Donkupar Roy, UDP chief, is made the chairman of the Coordination Committee, and the president of the HSPDP Ardent Basaiawmoit as the Co-Chairman and Dr K Shen as the secretary. Mr Bindo M Lanong will be in the committee as a member to finalize the modalities.