Paul Consulting Supporters, Hints That UDP May Be Left With Just One MLA

Shillong, Sep 25: UDP working president and West Shillong MLA, Paul Lyngdoh today predicted that the remaining MLAs of the party may desert to other parties and UDP may be reduced to one MLA even as he said that he is consulting his supporters about his next political moves.

Reacting to the recent defection of eight UDP MLAs to the BJP, Lyngdoh said that the party leadership is in denial mode even after a lot of dissatisfaction was expressed regarding the style of functioning.

“I have spoken many times within the party that there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the way the party functions. But sadly, the party leadership is always in a denial mode where they simply say that there’s nothing wrong and that we are united, we are happy with the functioning,” Lyngdoh said.

Lyngdoh squarely blamed the UDP president for the situation that led to the desertion of party MLAs.

“Under the current president’s leadership in three years, we see that the party which had twelve of 36 seats in Khasi-Jaiñtia sector is now left with only four. From these four, signs indicate that it may come down to just one,” he said.

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On speculations that he may join the BJP, Lyngdoh said that currently he is engaging with his supporters.

“I am now at a stage where I’m consulting and seeking the opinion of my supporters in West Shillong Constituency because these political developments have reached a point where the party may be left with only one or two MLAs. So, we have to take a stand on how we will move forward from here,” he added.

Stating that the exodus was “inevitable”, Lyngdoh also said the consultation process with his supporters will take time as he is listening to the views from all quarters including leading functionaries.

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It may be mentioned that the remaining UDP MLAs are planning to leave the party at any given moment. Renikton Tongkhar (Mawkyrwat) and Nujorki Sungoh (Mowkaïaw) are likely to join the NPP. If Paul Lyngdoh also defect, the party would be left with only its party president and Mairang MLA, Metbah Lyngdoh.