SHILLONG – The United Democratic Party is going into an emergency Central Executive Committee meeting on Friday with a problem it has so far struggled to pin down: reports that most of its 12 MLAs are considering a move to the BJP, while the legislators themselves have neither confirmed nor denied it.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said the party has invited all its MLAs and MDCs, along with CEC office-bearers and members, to discuss the situation. The meeting will coincide with the UDP’s Foundation Day, giving the party an unusually complicated reason to gather its leadership.
Chyne said the UDP has received no official communication from the MLAs reportedly considering a switch. He said he had spoken to the legislators several times, including over the telephone, but they had neither confirmed nor denied reports that they planned to move to another party.
“They have neither confirmed nor denied that they are planning to shift or jump to another party.” he said.
The uncertainty follows reports that eight or nine of the UDP’s 12 MLAs are exploring a move to the BJP. Eight would constitute two-thirds of the UDP Legislature Party, making the reported number particularly significant under the anti-defection framework. The BJP has not ruled out a political realignment, while UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh has maintained that all 12 MLAs remain with the party. The competing positions have left the UDP dealing with a defection story that continues to grow without a formal announcement from the legislators at its centre.
Senior UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh has also acknowledged internal discontent within the party and said the issue had been raised before its General Executive Council. Reports have separately linked several legislators to discussions with the BJP, although the exact composition of the reported group remains unconfirmed.
The reported talks have also acquired a wider political dimension, with issues including Khasi language recognition, changes to Meghalaya’s laws, coal mining and possible ministerial representation reportedly featuring among the demands being discussed.
Chyne said Thursday’s emergency CEC meeting would give the party leadership an opportunity to deliberate on the developments and address grievances within the organisation.
“We have invited all our MLAs and MDCs, besides the presidents, secretaries and members of the CEC, to deliberate on the prevailing situation.”
The UDP will also mark its Foundation Day on Thursday, putting the party’s formal celebration alongside an emergency organisational meeting prompted by uncertainty over the future of several of its legislators.
For now, there is no formal defection to announce. There is, however, enough uncertainty for the UDP’s top organisational body to call an emergency meeting.
