Amid political buzz and the speculative narratives surrounding an apparent rift within the United Democratic Party, its president and Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh on Thursday categorically dismissed allegations of internal dissidence, asserting that robust deliberations inside the Assembly should not be misconstrued as factional fault lines.
With murmurs of intra-party differences and conjecture over strained equations doing the rounds in political corridors, Metbah Lyngdoh sought to reinforce the narrative of organisational cohesion, stressing that democratic debate within a party framework is intrinsic to governance and not indicative of discord. Interacting with journalists, he rejected the rumours of friction within the party’s ranks.
“There is nothing as such from my side. In fact, I am very open and I am a very positive person in life. Whatever we discuss inside the House contributes to the welfare of the people of the state,” he said, underlining that legislative interventions are anchored in public interest rather than personal equations.
When asked about perceived “differences” with senior party colleague and West Shillong legislator Paul Lyngdoh, Metbah Lyngdoh dismissed the premise of the query. “What misunderstanding and why are you asking that question? I don’t have anything to say. I have already spelled out my mind. I am a very positive person. I cannot say anything… I don’t look at a person always with a negative mind,” he remarked.
Reiterating the sanctity of the Assembly as the appropriate forum for political engagement, the UDP president maintained that issues flagged by members are duly acknowledged by the government. “I have mentioned today on the floor of the House that all issues and points raised by members are taken note of and we will take action accordingly at the appropriate time. It is always a constructive thing whoever the member is unless they have their own bad motive. That is a different thing I have nothing to say but I have seen all of them (MLAs) they always share a positive kind of suggestion. This is the platform. Which platform to go? Motphran? Police Bazaar? Iew Laitumkhrah? Iew Laban?” he said.
“We are leaders, so we should behave as leaders. When we are inside the House, we should always take anything with a constructive mind,” he added.
