Shillong, October 26: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H. Pala has said the United Democratic Party (UDP) should not be written off despite the departure of its leaders, asserting that political defections do not necessarily translate into a loss of voter support.
Speaking to reporters, Pala said the UDP continued to enjoy a support base and retain the confidence of voters in certain areas.
“You can always take away the leaders, but to take away the voters is not easy,” he said.
Drawing a parallel with the Congress, Pala said his party had also faced setbacks and defections but continued to survive. He added that people were coming forward to support the Congress and expressed confidence in its prospects.
Pala said leaders who joined other parties with high expectations would eventually be judged on their performance and whether they fulfilled their promises. He suggested that voters could become disappointed if those expectations were not met.
Criticising the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Pala alleged that both parties followed similar political approaches, including weakening parties associated with them.
He questioned the relationship between coalition partners when leaders from one constituent party moved to another, arguing that such developments could create confusion and undermine trust within the alliance.
Pala further alleged that the NPP and BJP were politically aligned, claiming that support for the NPP ultimately benefited the BJP.
On the future of regional parties, the Congress leader maintained that they would continue to have a role in Meghalaya’s political landscape, particularly in Assembly and autonomous district council elections.
However, he expressed concern that regional parties could lose influence at the national level under the proposed “One Nation, One Election” framework. He argued that national issues required broader political choices and greater unity among parties opposed to the BJP.
Pala also pointed out that voting considerations varied across parliamentary, Assembly and district council elections, with candidates’ personal standing playing an important role in local contests.
Acknowledging the continuing importance of regional identity in Meghalaya, he expressed hope that regional political aspirations would endure even as voters considered the wider national political situation.
