SHILLONG : United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh on Saturday tendered his resignation as Cabinet Minister in the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government, saying he could no longer continue in the government after 11 party MLAs left the UDP, leaving him as the lone legislator.
In his resignation statement, Metbah said the prevailing political situation in the state, particularly within the UDP, had prompted him to take the decision after careful consideration.
“Due to the current political scenario arising in the state, especially in the party, where 11 MLAs have left me as a lone MLA and the party, after very thorough and careful consideration, I have taken the decision that I will not be able to continue as Cabinet Minister in the MDA Government. Therefore, today I have placed my resignation letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma with immediate effect,” he said.
Metbah, who has been holding the portfolios of Power, Water Resources, Taxation and Textiles since September last year, said his decision was taken after weighing all aspects of the prevailing political situation.
He maintained that the decision was not taken under pressure and stressed that political leaders must make decisions after careful consideration rather than allowing external pressure to influence them.
Asked whether the UDP would continue supporting the NPP-led MDA Government, Metbah said his resignation as a Cabinet Minister was the first step, while the party’s future stand would be decided after internal discussions.
“For now I have resigned as a minister of the cabinet. In the second phase, we will take it after discussion within the party. That again is the decision of the party,” he said.
On whether the UDP would move to the Opposition bench, he said the matter would be left to the party leadership, including its office-bearers and the Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Metbah also confirmed that the UDP’s CEC would meet to decide on the party’s future course of action, with the meeting likely to be held on November 3.
Responding to allegations of poaching, he said the party would take further decisions after consulting all those involved in its decision-making process.
He reiterated that his resignation was not influenced by pressure from any quarter.
“I will never take any decision under any circumstances if it is about pressure because under pressure you will make lots of mistakes. This decision is not being taken under any kind of pressure,” he said.
On whether Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma would accept his resignation, Metbah said he had forwarded the letter and expected the Chief Minister to accept it.
Asked whether UDP’s political partners had betrayed the party, he declined to comment.
Metbah said the resignation was his first decision, while further decisions concerning the UDP’s political position in the MDA Government would be taken collectively by the party in the coming days.