Shillong, Oct 25: Assembly Speaker and President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Metbah Lyngdoh said that the party’s victory in the Shella bypoll has proved that the people of the constituency did not need money to make their candidate win, even as he maintained that the UDP did not make any promise about creating of new district.

Speaking at the sidelines of the oath taking ceremony of the new Shella MLA, Balajied Kupar Synrem on Friday, Lyngdoh denied the allegations made by other political parties that money power has played a big role in the bye-election.

“In just one line, I would like to say that the victory of Balajied has really proved that the people of Shella constituency does not need money to make their candidate win,” the Speaker said.

The UDP president maintained that his party has never made any commitment during the election campaign with regards to the demand for creation of a new district citing that this is not the right time.

“As a responsible leader, I cannot go and bribe people to vote for us and we will give you a district. I think that is very irresponsible kind of a campaign as responsible leaders. From our side, we have never said during the campaign that please give us votes and we will give you a district. There are many people who say that the issue of district is one which people will give vote, but I said this is not the time as the appropriate time will come as whoever deserve to get district or any other benefits, the government will work it out at an appropriate time,” Lyngdoh said.

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said it was clear that the bye election was not about money, but about late Dr Donkupar Roy’s legacy and the future of Shella constituency.

“People of the constituency had already decided to vote for Balajied based on the past of what Dr Donkupar has done and…reposing their faith in the most worthy candidate to lead them in the future- that was the base of this election,” he said.

“Winning by such a huge margin is not possible that you can buy people with money. I think an attitude and an opinion like this is really bringing down the image of the people of Shella as people of Shella are not like this as they are really firm on their belief and their stand and that has what that led to this result,” the CM added.

The National People’s Party (NPP) and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) have extended their full support to the UDP as a tribute to the late leader Dr Donkupar Roy.

Two MDA partners – People’s Democratic Front and Bharatiya Janata Party had also unsuccessfully contested in the Shella bypoll.

Asked if the bye-election would affect the relationship in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, the chief minister said, there is no reason to think like that.

“We are here to form this MDA government for the purpose of governance, election is something that will come and go. We have always maintained that every political party has its own identity and its political opinion and they are free to express their opinions. But when it comes to governance, we are always together and will continue to work together to ensure that we take our state forward.”

“Any kind of difference of opinion or debate is healthy in a democracy. This really proves how healthy the MDA is. We may fight this election against each other, but we have proved that three parties have come together to fight the election for one candidate, yet we are here together to work for the people. It is a very good sign of democracy where we know to draw the line and keep the interest of the people in mind while taking decisions,” he said.