Shillong, Aug 19: UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh has ruled out any threat to the MDA government following the unrest after the killing of former general secretary of HNLC Cherishstarfield Thangkhiew.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Metbah denied UDP approaching the Congress for an alternative government.
He also said the coalition partners have not received any letters from the Congress.
The CLP leader Mukul Sangma had said that they would write to the coalition partners to support a new dispensation.
To a question whether he will support a new combination to run the government as suggested by Mukul, Metbah said, “As of now, no way. We can’t do anything as we have only 7 MLAs. About tomorrow who knows about that. I wouldn’t talk about the future.”
When asked whether he will accept the post of CM if an offer comes from the Congress, Metbah said, “I am not hungry for anything. I am happy with what I am. End of the day I never thought I will be the Speaker”.
When asked, Metbah said he does not see any further unrest.
“I don’t see any unrest. It was there only on the day of the funeral”, he said.
He also said he has left it to the Chief Minister to accept the offer of relinquishing the home portfolio by Lahkmen Rymbui.
“The offer letter of home minister, who owned moral responsibility stands and we have left it to the CM to decide on the matter,” he said.
Nothing came from Cong: Prestone
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said the MDA partners have not received any letter from the opposition Congress for forming a new dispensation in the state.
“We are yet to receive the letter from the Congress and also none of the MDA partners had received the letter, so once we receive the letter, we will take a call,” Tynsong told reporters.
When asked, Tynsong said the opposition’s priority is to create instability.
“When you are in the opposition, be it Congress, be it NPP, be it any political party, your priority is what, very simple to create instability and to create confusion. That is the priority of the opposition, be it at the national level, be it at the state level,” he said.
“However, ultimately, be it MDA government or be it any government, we are here to make sure that the citizens of the state are fully protected,” he said.
Mukul awaits response
Mukul said the Congress is waiting for the response of the MDA coalition partners on the need to form a new dispensation in the state.
Mukul said there should be a change of government since the state is not in safe hands following the breakdown of law and order as fallout due to the killing of former HNLC leader.
“We have initiated this, it is more like an open invitation for a discussion keeping in mind our responsibility towards the people and the state,” Mukul told reporters.
“We are awaiting their response in fact and our stand is very clear. We do not want to indulge in any kind of backdoor politics because we believe that what is being done in the larger interest of the state must be known by the people,” he said.
The former chief minister, however, said only time will tell as to how many of them will be forthcoming to discuss the issue but what is more important is that at least the party had sent the message.
