Upbeat United Democratic Party hopeful of clear win in Meghalaya

SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP), the second biggest partner of the ruling Congress-led coalition in the state, is on a high, saying it will form the government after the February 23 elections. "We will cross the one-thirds majority and form the government," said the deputy chief minister, Bindo M Lanong.The six-time member of the district council (MDC), who has already made it twice to the legislative assembly, added, "We are going to lead." Regarding the choice of the chief minister, he said, "We have committed, experienced and clean leaders like Donkupar Roy (former chief minister). I will be happy with any leader decided by my party."Lanong, a veteran politician, who has been active since the inception of Meghalaya, was first elected to the assembly in 1983. He got re-elected in 2008 from the Malki-Nongthymmai constituency. He will lock horns with the lone woman legislator and minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, who won on a UDP ticket in the last elections but switched over to the Congress for the Shillong East Assembly Constituency.