SHILLONG : The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Friday maintained that the party remains united despite six of its MLAs being absent from its emergency Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting and foundation day celebration.
The six absent legislators were West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh, Sohiong MLA Synshar Roy Kupar Lyngdoh, Mawphlang MLA Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein, Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said five of the party’s MLAs attended the emergency CEC meeting, along with leaders from different parts of the state, including the Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills.
“We had a very good emergency CEC meeting,” Chyne told reporters.
Asked about reports that UDP MLAs could leave the party, Chyne said there was no such move as of Friday.
“As of today, there is no such thing. There is no question of jumping or leaving the party. They will remain as it is,” he said.
“Who created that smoke or fire? It is not from our side. Our party is intact, our MLAs are intact,” Chyne asserted.
UDP says no defection move ‘as of now’
Chyne, however, acknowledged that the political situation could change in the future.
“As they have clarified before the CEC, there is no such move as of now. We cannot anticipate what will happen tomorrow,” he said.
Explaining the absence of the six MLAs, Chyne said Synshar Kupar had cited a death in the family, while Pius Marwein was out of station. The remaining legislators, he said, had prior programmes.
“We are united as of today,” Chyne maintained.
On their absence from the UDP foundation day celebration, Chyne said all party MLAs had been invited but could not be forced to attend if they had other commitments.
“We have invited all. Maybe they are not free. We cannot force anybody if they are occupied with their schedule,” he said.
UDP dismisses Delhi camping speculation
Chyne also dismissed speculation that UDP MLAs were camping in Delhi as evidence of an imminent move towards the BJP.
He said legislators were free to travel to Delhi or Kolkata and meet Union ministers or other political leaders.
“MLAs are free to fly to Delhi, Kolkata. It is not our job to check where they go. They can meet Union ministers, the Prime Minister,” Chyne said.
He added that meeting BJP leaders did not automatically mean that an MLA was planning to join the party.
“Meeting Amit Shah or the Prime Minister does not mean they will join BJP. I myself meet Union ministers and BJP leaders, you cannot say I am joining BJP,” he said.
Chyne denies leadership crisis in UDP
On reports of dissent against UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh, Chyne said the issue was discussed during the meeting and had been clarified by the legislators.
“We discussed that issue also. They have clarified there is no problem with the leadership of the party as of today,” he said.
Chyne also rejected suggestions that the absence of the six MLAs indicated a leadership crisis.
“I am not an expert to judge body language. I saw them happy, smiling, shaking hands and speaking in the meeting. If they had not attended, that would be suspicious. They attended and they informed,” he said.
Asked whether the UDP was considering a change in leadership, Chyne said there was no such plan.
“We don’t have any such plan. In UDP, it is the general council which decides whether the present president will continue or be changed. That is the practice,” he said.