Paul Flags Lack of Consultation in UDP, Calls for ‘Cent Percent Democracy’

Senior United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and Cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh has pitched for sweeping internal reforms to make the party “cent percent democratic,” voicing concern over the lack of consultation with grassroots workers and senior leaders who do not contest elections. Talking to the Meghalaya News 24, however, he firmly rejected speculation of factionalism or personal discord within the party, but said the party’s foot soldiers — including members of the Women’s Wing and Youth Wing — have played a decisive role in building the UDP and are often left out of key decision-making processes.
“When you have your foot soldiers, party members, Women’s Wings, Youths Wings, these are volunteers who took the party to the height that it has reached today, where is the element of democracy? when they are not even consulted,” he said, adding, “Senior party leaders who don’t fight for elections are not consulted on one major issues affecting the party. That is the part I am not happy about but it has nothing to do with any individuals, A, B or C, nothing, I don’t take things personally.”
Dismissing suggestions that such criticism points to internal division, Lyngdoh said differing viewpoints should not be mistaken for a split within the party. “I don’t subscribe to that view, probably we have, there is a division of opinions but just because you have parents disagreeing or husband and wife disagreeing, it does not mean that their headed for divorce. Well every personality has a different styles of functioning, so no two individuals will be the same or even align,” he said.
He also brushed aside rumours of personal differences with UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh, stressing that his stand is rooted in principle rather than personality. “I will clarify just one fact, I do not take any leaders to be personal enemies, detractors or even rivals, I am more concerned, my focus is more on a broader picture. In that broader picture all I am advocating is the need to actually make UDP truly cent percent democratic party,” he said.