Shillong, Sept 11: Mawsynram MLA Olan Sing Suin said a team of 8 UDP legislators is in talks with the BJP and will switch over if their demands are addressed.
“Anything can happen if they agree to our demands. Anything can happen, I tell you,” Suin told reporters after the UDP’s central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Friday ( Sept 11) .
When asked if it was his last CEC meeting as a UDP MLA, Suin replied , “I do not know as anything can happen.”
He said a charter of demands was placed before the BJP central leadership, including inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, lifting the ban on coal mining, relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, FCRA and Meghalaya Residents, Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
“These are the pressing issues. The NGOs are pressing, the Assembly has passed resolutions. If the Union government agrees to our demands then what is the problem?” he said.
Suin said he is part of an “eight-member team mission’
We are einsisted the number is eight, not nine.
“We have an eight-member team mission..not nine. If our mission is accomplished, anything can happen. That is politics. Politics can change in one day,” he said.
Regarding his denial about going to Delhi, Suin said, “That day some of the team were in Delhi. I was in my village. We divide work. When they came back, we discussed.”
When repeatedly asked on whether joining the BJP is final if demands are met, he said, “Yes, anything can happen, any day.”
He denied any bargain for cabinet berths. Suin said, “There us no negotiation for ministerial berths. NPP is the single largest party with 33 MLAs. We are only pressing for demands.”
According to Suin, he attended the UDP CEC, and made his stand clear inside the meeting.
“I have stated very clearly inside that talks with the BJP are on,” he said.
Referring to J J M Nichols Roy, Suin said, “Before he joined the Congress, people criticised him, saying if you join Congress, Christianity will be wiped out, you won’t be allowed to eat beef. He said give me a chance to bring the best for you. He brought autonomous district councils. Similar in our case, if our demands are met, what is the problem? That is why it can happen at any time.”
Six UDP MLAs skipped the CEC meeting and foundation day celebrations.
However, the UDP insisted that its house is in order and there is no defection move.
The six absentees were West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh, Sohiong MLA Synshar Roy Kupar Lyngdoh, Mawphlang MLA Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein, Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla and Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem.
“We had a very good emergency CEC meeting. Leaders from Garo Hills, East and West Jaintia Hills have come,” UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne told reporters.
He claimed that five MLAs attended the meeting.
Chyne said, “As of today, there is no such thing. There is no question of jumping or leaving the party. They will remain as it is.”
“Who created that smoke or fire? We did not create it from our side. Our party is intact, our MLAs are intact,” he said.
He added: “As they have clarified before the CEC, there is no such move as of now. We cannot anticipate what will happen tomorrow.”
Chyne said, “Synshar Kupar informed that there is a death in his family and he could not come. Pius Marwein is not in Shillong, he has gone out of station. Other MLAs informed that they have programmes.”
“We are united as of today,” he added.
Regarding the absence of some MLAs from the foundation day programme, he said, “We invited all. Maybe they are not free. We cannot force anybody if they are occupied.”
Regarding reports of UDP MLAs camping in Delhi to meet BJP top brass, Chyne said, “MLAs are free to fly to Delhi, Kolkata. It is not our outlook to check where they go. They can meet union ministers, the Prime Minister. It is not that once they meet Amit Shah or the Prime Minister, they will join BJP. I myself meet union ministers, meet BJP leaders, you cannot say I am joining BJP.”
On the talks of discontent against party president Metbah Lyngdoh, Chyne said, “We discussed that issue also. They have clarified that there is no problem with the leadership of the party.”
“I am not an expert to judge body language. I saw them, they are happy, smiling, shaking hands, they gave speeches in the meeting. If they did not attend, that would be suspicious. They attended and informed,” he said.
Regarding the leadership change, he said, “In UDP we don’t have any such plan. It is the general council which will decide whether the present president will continue or change. That is the practice of UDP.”
