SHILLONG — The United Democratic Party on Friday launched an internal loyalty campaign titled “Stay with UDP until further notice”, amid reports that most of its MLAs are exploring exciting new opportunities elsewhere.
With 12 UDP MLAs in the Assembly, reports that nine are considering joining the BJP and two others may be looking at different parties have created what party officials described as a “minor numerical misunderstanding”.
“We are completely united,” a senior UDP functionary said, speaking from a location that could not be confirmed as belonging to the UDP.
Party leaders insisted the reports should not be taken seriously, pointing out that all 12 MLAs remain UDP legislators until they actually become something else.
“We have 12 MLAs. Nine may be looking at BJP, two may be looking somewhere else, but technically they are still ours,” another leader explained. “So the party is 100 per cent intact.”
The BJP, already an alliance partner in the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, has reportedly emerged as the preferred destination for several UDP legislators. This could soon create the unusual situation of coalition partners moving between parties that are already coalition partners.
The NPP, meanwhile, has shown little concern. Deputy Chief Minister and NPP state president Prestone Tynsong has said the government is secure, noting that the NPP alone has 33 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. This means the government can comfortably survive the departure of UDP MLAs, provided nobody accidentally takes the NPP MLAs with them.
UDP leadership is also considering practical measures to strengthen party unity, including counting all MLAs every morning and asking members to inform the party before visiting another political party.
A proposal for an attendance register was reportedly shelved after leaders realised some MLAs might sign in before leaving for meetings elsewhere.
Meanwhile, one UDP MLA who has not been linked to any possible switch is reportedly being treated with increasing importance.
By evening, the party remained confident it still had 12 MLAs.
At least until the next political meeting.
