Shillong: The United Democratic Party, a key ally in the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government on Friday offered its full support to the NDA’s presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu, saying that it would be a pride for tribals of the State to see a tribal occupying the top constitutional post in the country.
“This time I personally feel and we have discussed at the party level and we definitely support the tribal candidate with regards to the presidential election. I feel that it is a dream for all of us – the tribal occupying the top post in the country. It will be a big dream to see it become a reality,” UDP Supremo Metbah Lyngdoh said.
Recalling the 2012 presidential election, Lyngdoh, who is also the Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly, said that UDP had also supported former Lok Sabha Speaker, Purno Agitok Sangma.
“We feel that the need of the hour for all tribals to support a tribal leader with regards to the top post of the country,” he said.
“Being a tribal occupying the post, I personally feel they understand the needs of tribals, with Meghalaya being a tribal state, we have lots of issues when it comes to central government and those who are in the top post, we can approach and whisper to them about the need of that tribals would like to address so that it can be heard and I am sure there will be action,” the UDP Supremo said.
“We have high hope as the state has a lot of pending issues, Khasi & Garo language inclusion, she can be a part of the long-pending issue, apart from other issues of tribals, we feel that it would be a pride for us to see a tribal occupying the top post,” he said.
On the other hand, lone Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator, who is supporting the MDA coalition, Saleng Sangma said he would abide by the directive of his party leadership Sharad Pawar.
“As of today, I am yet to receive any communication from my leadership with regard to the presidential election. As a gentleman, I will abide by the directive of my party leadership,” Sangma told UNI.
The NCP is backing Yashwant Sinha, a former Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government, as the joint opposition candidate for presidential polls.
