Projecting an ambitious political roadmap for Meghalaya beyond the 2028 Assembly elections, United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator Kyrmen Shylla has expressed his desire to see an opposition-free government in the state while reaffirming his commitment to the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA). Pitching the UDP as an emerging political force capable of leading the state, Shylla said the party would continue its alliance with the National People’s Party (NPP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) even if it secures more than 30 seats in the Assembly, underscoring the coalition’s strategy of preserving political stability through consensus-based governance rather than political confrontation.
With political parties beginning to sharpen their electoral strategies ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections, Shylla dismissed suggestions that the UDP is a “sinking ship”, asserting that the regional party has steadily expanded its legislative strength and organisational base and remains determined to emerge as a credible claimant to the state’s political leadership.
Rejecting speculation over the party’s electoral prospects, Shylla said, “Being here part of the Coalition Government in the state, others look at us as sinking ship similarly we look at others as sinking ship, we have heard this word from time to time that this party or that party is a sinking ship, there is no end to this. But we are growing, we are strategising ourselves to increase and promote our party that one day people will realise. All we need is that we have been trying from time to time people should realise that the UDP is one party where we are always trying to get target that we can led the state. So hopefully the time will come, that our people will realise, whatever we speak is for the welfare of our people.”
Highlighting the party’s electoral trajectory, he added, “We are growing from Six MLAs in 2018, we are now 12 MLAs in 2023 and I believe in 2028 from 12 may be 30 plus you never know. It’s just that we have to work hard, sitting at home and doing nothing will not work. We have to work hard 12 MLAs, MDCs, party leaders, Workers our supporters we work tirelessly, I believe we will grow more and more we just have to wake up and do our best in the field.”
Asked whether he was indicating that the UDP would head the government after the 2028 elections, Shylla said leading the government remained the party’s long-term political objective but made it clear that electoral success would not alter its alliance with the NPP and BJP.
He said, “We always wants that but we believe that our youth, voters will once realize the objective of the party, if they realise the objective of UDP then I am sure we will be leading the government. It’s not that if we get a chance to lead the government we will leave our friends behind. We will always work together. As of now we are in the coalition government. If we have 30 plus also we will work collectively with our friends because NPP has not left us behind, they are working with us after having 30 plus, we really appreciate the NPP led Government under the leadership of Conrad K Sangma and two Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Prestone Tynsong and all the ministers. If the time comes for us also we will take care of everyone and carry the same. We should not betray those who have done good things to us. Beside BJP they are our friends as of now, We believe they shouldn’t be our enemies and we will be together.”
Articulating his broader political vision for Meghalaya, Shylla said he hoped the state would eventually have a government comprising all 60 legislators, irrespective of political affiliation, arguing that consensus politics would ensure smoother legislative functioning and strengthen governance by eliminating adversarial politics in the Assembly.
He said, “Whoever wants to join us, If I am the Chief Minister I would like to see all 60 MLAs are part of the Government. No opposition, I pray to god the day will come if I am not the Chief Minister also whoever becomes the Chief Minister kindly bring all the 60 MLAs together. Let there be no opposition whenever whatever we bring in the Assembly everything is passed smoothly. I am nobody to predict future but I wish there will be no opposition.”
