Why did UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh lose his cool when the media questioned him about reports of rumblings and differences of opinion within the party?
Lyngdoh, visibly irritated during his interaction with the media, sought to dismiss the reports as a normal feature of political organisations, while questioning the manner in which journalists were pursuing the issue.
“Why you want to poke so much this is too much…This is not the way how to ask questions..Media should have some kind of….We don’t have anything why are you asking?”
His sharp reaction came amid growing reports of differences of opinion within the United Democratic Party (UDP), a key constituent of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government, bringing the party’s internal equations under renewed scrutiny barely a year-and-a-half ahead of the next Assembly elections.
The issue gained further traction after the UDP’s Central Executive Committee entrusted Lyngdoh with the task of convening a Parliamentary Party meeting to discuss grievances raised by legislators. The move has assumed significance amid speculation that a section of UDP MLAs could be dissatisfied with the party’s functioning and may be exploring a possible political realignment, including reports of a possible merger with the BJP.
UDP Working President Paul Lyngdoh acknowledged that reports of “rumbling” within the party were doing the rounds and indicated that the leadership was discussing the concerns.
“There are rumbling in almost every political party, those are being discussed as we speak. Focus is on Strengthening the party. The view of the council is that the party president should immediately call Parliamentary Party Meeting discussed all grievances aired by UDP MLAs in the PP,” Lyngdoh said.
Asked about reports that a group of UDP legislators could be planning to merge with the BJP, Paul Lyngdoh said, “I have heard rumours but I am not in a position to comment.”
On the Central Executive Committee meeting, he said, “This meeting is mostly in connection with the forthcoming Lok Sabha Election, discussion are regarding the preparation for the same.”
Meanwhile, the UDP Chief Metbah Lyngdoh maintained that differences of opinion were inevitable within political organisations and stressed that the UDP had established mechanisms to address such issues.
“In any family, in any party there are always difference of opinions, difference of thought process and we always ensure we listen to all of them and address the issues. Secondly I would like to mention very clearly in event of any kind of decision to be taken, we ensure that all points are taken into consideration and through consultation with each and every stakeholders of the party. We will meet at the appropriate time.”
Asked directly whether he acknowledged differences of opinion within the UDP, Lyngdoh again maintained that disagreements were part of the political process.
“if any political party doesn’t have any kind of difference of opinion, that will always be there. In the event of any such kind of news comes up, we always provide the platform where we can discuss and find the solution amicably. We have different platform where we have CEC meeting, Parliamentary party meeting, the core committee meeting.”
The UDP president also denied having any information about reports that a group of party MLAs was contemplating a merger with the BJP.
“Why will I say if I don’t know anything,” he said.
“You are free to share any kind of opinions we are always open, today also in CEC we are open,” he said
However, his visibly agitated response to questions on the reported rumblings has itself become a talking point, particularly as the party leadership has acknowledged the need for a Parliamentary Party meeting to discuss grievances raised by legislators.
The political speculation has also been fuelled by reports of UDP legislators travelling to Delhi, raising questions over whether political consultations were taking place at the national level.
Asked about the reported Delhi visit, Lyngdoh referred to a statement issued by UDP MLA and Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who had spoken about concerns relating to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
“You must have seen the statement shared by UDP MLA and cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui in details. They have raised the issue of FCRA and since they have made the home minister in Delhi, they have shared other concerns also.”
Lyngdoh did not offer a concrete response when asked whether the legislators had submitted a memorandum during their Delhi visit.
He instead returned to the organisational agenda of the CEC meeting and stressed that strengthening the party remained the immediate priority.
“The meeting of the party which we called the CEC, where all the party leaders, party workers coming from respective districts are part of that CEC where we always keep on meeting and sharing all matters related to the party affairs. The focal point of the meeting is how to strengthen the party further.”
With the Parliamentary Party meeting now expected to provide a formal platform for legislators to air their grievances, the question is whether the UDP leadership can contain the reported differences within its organisational framework or whether the present rumblings could snowball into a larger political challenge for the party and the MDA Government.
