SHILLONG : The United Democratic Party (UDP) will convene its disciplinary committee or state parliamentary board to decide on the next course of action regarding eight party MLAs who are consulting their respective constituents over a possible move to join the BJP.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said on Thursday that the party would take a collective decision on the matter.
“Yes, as a party we will sit as a disciplinary committee or the state parliamentary board. We will take a call on this,” Chyne said when asked about the MLAs’ move.
Asked whether the party was considering suspending the eight MLAs, Chyne said the decision could not be taken by him alone.
“I cannot decide alone. As a party, we will have to decide,” he said.
On whether suspension was likely, the UDP general secretary said the party could consider issuing show-cause notices or taking other disciplinary action, but no decision had been taken yet.
“I can’t say right now. Maybe some show cause or something like that, but I can’t say anything now because the state parliamentary board will have to sit to decide,” Chyne said.
Asked which MLAs were still with the UDP, Chyne said all eight remained members of the party as they had not formally left.
“All are still with the party because they have not left the party till today,” he said.
On the reasons behind the reported differences within the UDP, Chyne said there were several factors but declined to disclose details. He maintained that the issue was not related to the party’s leadership.
“There are so many things but I cannot reveal. However, it has nothing to do with the party leadership but there are other reasons,” he said.
Asked whether the MLAs’ move was driven by personal political interests, Chyne said it was their individual decision.
“It is their individual choice,” he said.
Chyne also maintained that the UDP remains intact despite the developments and said any decision by individual MLAs to join the BJP would not mean that the party itself was moving towards the BJP.
“As of now, as a party we are intact. If individual MLAs join the BJP, it does not mean the party is joining the BJP,” he added.
