Shillong, Aug 31: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has rejected reports of any mass defection to the BJP, claiming all the 12 party MLAs – nine MLAs are reported to be in talks with BJP – are intact and in Meghalaya.
“There is no problem in UDP as of now. I have spoken to all MLAs directly, not through third persons, and none of them said they are joining BJP. I heard this only from the media,” UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh said on Monday.
Lyngdoh said the talk of nine MLAs merging with BJP is mere speculation.
“Speculations will remain speculation. I will tell you only what is happening,” he said.
On reports that UDP legislators rushed to Delhi in the last two days, Lyngdoh said, “That is disappointing and incorrect. I was in Shillong the whole week. I went to Delhi only last Monday for an official programme. Reports say I was also in Delhi with MLAs in the last two days, which is false.”
He said the earlier Delhi visit was for FCRA.
“Nine MLAs met the Union Home Minister on the FCRA amendment proposed in Parliament. It was interpreted differently.”
On reports of MLAs camping in Guwahati and Kolkata, he clarified, “Four MLAs – Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein, Shella MLA Balajied Synrem, Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla and Sohiong MLA Shynshar Lyngdoh – went to Kolkata on Saturday evening for personal business, not political.”
“Other MLAs are very much in Shillong. Mawphlang MLA B Kurbah is in Shillong, Mawsynram MLA Olan Sing Suin is in office in Shillong, Lahkmen Rymbui is also in Shillong. So reports of them rushing to Guwahati to meet BJP leaders to finalise the merger are wrong and unnecessary,” he added.
Lyngdoh said there is no discontent over his leadership. “I met all the MLAs and asked them. None expressed dissatisfaction with my leadership. They are happy till now,” he said.
He appealed to the media to verify. “Please verify before building any news, otherwise a wrong message goes to the public. I urge media friends to carry genuine and correct information, not speculation.”
Asked if there is an attempt to create division after his induction into the cabinet and dropping of Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla, Lyngdoh said, “There is nothing as such. Whatever decision was taken, it was taken within the party with knowledge of everyone who is part and parcel of the party.”
UDP united under Metbah Lyngdoh: Mawsynram MLA
UDP MLA from Mawsynram Olan Sing Suin, has termed “false” the reports claiming that 9 out of 12 UDP legislators are planning to merge with the BJP.
Reacting to the reports on Monday, Suin said, “I don’t know anything about it. Where did you get that news? After the Assembly, I went to my village and I came only yesterday.”
He added, “If my name is there, why are you asking me? I just came yesterday to Lawbah. It is false news. Your credibility will be lost. I think you want to create this news yourself.”
On the recent meeting held between UDP legislators with union home minister Amit Shah, the MLA clarified, “Yes, we met Amit Shah a month ago to discuss issues related to the state. After that, we had Assembly and we did not meet again. After the session, I went to my village.”
Dismissing speculation about his whereabouts, he said he had not even met his fellow legislators.
Explaining the Delhi visit, Suin said, “We have every right to meet central leaders in a democracy. We should not depend only on the Chief Minister. From the party, we have every right to go and ask why issues are pending.”
Refuting rumours of internal rift and loss of confidence in UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh, Suin said, “Why would we not trust the president? Who will be president beyond Metbah Lyngdoh? This is politics, speculation will be there, but personally I have full faith in him. I don’t see anyone more capable than him to lead the party.”
“There is only one group in UDP, led by Metbah Lyngdoh. I don’t know about any new group. Who is leading that new group, is it Bah Olan Sing Suin?” he questioned.
