Shillong, Aug 31: UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh denied reports of 9 UDP MLAs leaving the party to join the BJP.
Speaking to reporters on Monday(Aug 31), Lyngdoh said that all the 12 party MLAs are intact and in Meghalaya.
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“There is no problem in UDP as of now. I have spoken to all MLAs directly, not through third persons, and none of them said they are joining BJP. I heard this only from the media,” Lyngdoh said.
According to the UDP leader, the nine MLAs merging with BJP is mere speculation.
“Speculations will remain speculation. I will tell you only what is happening,” he said.
Regarding reports that the UDP president rushed to Delhi along with party leaders, Lyngdoh said, “That is disappointing and incorrect. I was in Shillong the whole week. I went to Delhi only last Monday for an official programme. Reports say I was also in Delhi with MLAs in the last two days, which is false.”
He said the earlier Delhi visit was for FCRA.
“Nine MLAs met the Union Home Minister on the FCRA amendment proposed in Parliament. It was interpreted differently.”
Regarding reports of MLAs camping in Guwahati and Kolkata, he clarified, “Four MLAs – Ranikor MLA Pius Marwein, Shella MLA Balajied Synrem, Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla and Sohiong MLA Shynshar Lyngdoh – went to Kolkata on Saturday evening for personal business, not political.””Other MLAs are very much in Shillong. Mawphlang MLA B Kurbah is in Shillong, Mawsynram MLA Olan Sing Suin is in office in Shillong, Lahkmen Rymbui is also in Shillong. So reports of them rushing to Guwahati to meet BJP leaders to finalise the merger are wrong and unnecessary,” he said.
Lyngdoh said there is no discontent over his leadership. “I met all the MLAs and asked them. None expressed dissatisfaction with my leadership. They are happy till now,” he said.
He wanted the media to verify before relying on speculations. “Please verify before building any news, otherwise a wrong message goes to the public. I urge media friends to carry genuine and correct information, not speculation.”
When asked if there is an attempt to create division after his induction into the cabinet and dropping of Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla, Lyngdoh said, “There is nothing as such. Whatever decision was taken, it was taken within the party with knowledge of everyone who is part and parcel of the party.”
