All is not well within the United Democratic Party (UDP)—or so the political undercurrents suggest. The recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw outgoing ministers Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla make way for party president Metbah Lyngdoh and Lahkmen Rymbui, has set tongues wagging about a possible rift in the regional powerhouse. The reshuffle, politically loaded and delicately balanced, has sparked speculation that factional discontent is simmering beneath the party’s united façade. Paul Lyngdoh’s conspicuous absence from the Raj Bhavan swearing-in ceremony added further fuel to the narrative, with sources insisting that the former Tourism Minister was far from pleased with his sudden exit. Paul himself admitted to being caught off guard, describing the development as a personal setback.
However, Metbah Lyngdoh—newly sworn-in cabinet minister and UDP president—moved quickly to douse the flames of speculation, insisting that the decision was neither unilateral nor divisive but born of collective party consensus. “See I want to make it very clear, it is not the decision of Lahkmen Rymbui or not the decision of Metbah Lyngdoh as the president, the function of the party is always very inclusive. Till today we are what we are and as a party it is because of team work that we have with very good coordination and good understanding. That’s why we could if you look at all the 12 MLAs we are very much intact. We may have our different opinions views, but those doesn’t mean that we have diffences. If they placed their differences, their opinions in order to see how to strengthen more as per as the party is concern. So as of today, whatever decision that we have made for me to take over as Minister and Bah Rymbui is the decision of the party which was witnessed by each and every stakeholders of the party. I am confident that they are happy but the best things to do is you better ask them. They are part of the decision and whatever decision is made is the decision of the party. Not the decision of the president,” Metbah told reporters.
Pressed further on whether the reshuffle might fracture the UDP’s internal cohesion, Metbah struck a statesmanlike tone. “My whole hearted and sincere efforts right from the day one when I took over as president is to ensure that United Democratic Party should be united as a one. It stands today as the United party because of the team work,” he said.
Dismissing speculation that ministerial performance had anything to do with the reshuffle, Metbah categorically denied merit-based considerations. He warned that linking the move to performance would only invite unnecessary controversies, reiterating that the UDP remained intact and driven by collective decision-making.
