Shillong Mar 24: The United Democratic Party on Saturday reviewed its poll debacle in the just concluded Assembly polls where it won only six seats, and decided to strengthen the party as it prepares for the upcoming elections to the Lok Sabha and District Councils in the state.

The UDP which is part and parcel of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government led by the NPP under the leadership of Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma, took this decision at the party’s Central Executive Committee meeting held at the residence of party president and Assembly Speaker, Donkupar Roy here.

UDP working president, Paul Lyngdoh told reporters that the party’s poor performance in the last Assembly election was reviewed, one of the main reasons for the defeat was the position of the party in terms of resources.

He also alleged that opponents especially the Congress has abused by using money to buy votes, adding that former chief minister Mukul Sangma had also launched a scheme that helped the Congress, which was in power that time, to buy the voters.

Lyngdoh also said that the Election Commission and police were more concerned about erecting and using of party flags during election campaigns, instead of checking the use of money as inducement.

“We need resources in elections but not by abusing it and for buying the people,” Lyngdoh who lost the election from West Shillong constituency said.

On the preparations for the upcoming district councils and Lok Sabha elections next year, Lyngdoh said that the party has decided to work aggressively to strengthen the party.

An Election Committee headed by the party president has been formed, and a Core Committee with Lyngdoh as chairman was also formed to plan, strategise and coordinate.

The core committee would also objectively assess the performance of the regional alliance in the Assembly polls.

“The alliance has helped in some constituencies but we will analyse the alliance’s performance constituency wise and then come out with a report,” Lyngdoh said.

Whether the regional alliance will continue, Lyngdoh said that based on the outcome from the analysis, a decision would be taken whether the alliance should continue or not.

The Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) was formed after the UDP had forged a pre-poll alliance with the Hill State People’s Democratic Alliance in the Khasi-Jaiñtia region that has 36 seats, and with the Garo National Council in the Garo region that has 24 Assembly seats.

Under the banner of RDA, the UDP, HSPDP and GNC fielded 35 candidates, 13 candidates, and 6 candidates respectively. But the UDP won only six seats, and HSPDP managed to win just two seats, while the GNC did not win a single seat.