Shillong, Sept 12: In what can be called straight from the horse’s mouth after days of speculations and rumours doing the rounds, UDP MLA Olan Sing Suin has declared that as many as eight party MLAs are ready to cross over to BJP if their “demands” are met.
The Mawsynram MLA dropped the strongest hint about a major defection in the ruling ally United Democratic Party (UDP) after the party’s central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Friday.
“Anything can happen, if they agree to our demands,” Suin told reporters.
Asked if it was his last CEC meeting as a UDP MLA, Suin smiled and said, “I do not know as anything can happen.”
The demands, Suin said, placed before the BJP central leadership include incorporation of Khasi language in Eighth Schedule, lifting ban on coal mining, relocation of Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, resolving FCRA issues and implementation of Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
“These are the pressing issues. The NGOs are pressing, the Assembly has passed resolutions. If the Union government agrees to our demands then what is the problem?” he said.
Claiming to be part of an “eight-member team mission,” Suin insisted the number is eight, not nine.
The UDP has 12 MLAs and at least two-third i.e. eight of them have to merge with another political party to avoid disqualification under the Anti-Defection Law.
“We have an eight-member team mission. If our mission is accomplished, anything can happen. Politics can change in one day,” he said.
On his earlier denial about going to Delhi, Suin clarified, “That day some of the team members were in Delhi. I was in my village. We divide work. When they came back, we discussed.”
Pressed on whether joining the BJP is final if demands are met, he said, “Yes, anything can happen, any day.”
Denying any bargain for cabinet berths, Suin said, “No negotiation for ministerial berths. NPP is the single largest party with 33 MLAs. We are only pressing for demands.”
At the UDP CEC, Suin said, he made his stand clear (about talks with BJP).
“I have stated very clearly inside that talks with the BJP are on,” he said.
Invoking Hills leader JJM Nichols Roy, Suin said, “Before he joined the Congress, people criticised him, saying if you join Congress, Christianity will be wiped out, you won’t be allowed to eat beef. He said give me a chance to bring the best for you. He brought autonomous district councils. Similar in our case, if our demands are met, what is the problem? That is why it can happen at any time.”
