Shillong, September 17: The United Democratic Party (UDP) is considering disciplinary action against eight of its MLAs who are holding public consultations ahead of a possible move to the BJP, even as the party hit back at senior leader and West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh for publicly questioning its leadership.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne on Thursday said the party’s disciplinary committee and State Parliamentary Board would soon meet to decide the course of action against the legislators. “Yes, as a party we will sit as a disciplinary committee or the State Parliamentary Board. We will take a call on this,” Chyne said.
Asked whether suspension could be considered, he said such a decision could not be taken by him alone. “I cannot decide alone. As a party, we will have to decide,” he said.
Chyne indicated that the party may consider issuing show-cause notices to the legislators but said the final decision would rest with the State Parliamentary Board. “Maybe some show cause or something like that, but I can’t say anything now because the State Parliamentary Board will have to sit and decide,” he said.
He, however, clarified that the eight MLAs continue to remain members of the UDP since they have not formally quit the party. “All are still with the party because they have not left the party till today,” Chyne said.
On the reasons behind the apparent rebellion, Chyne said there were several factors but rejected suggestions that dissatisfaction with the party leadership was responsible. “There are so many things, but I cannot reveal. However, it has nothing to do with the party leadership. There are other reasons,” he said. Asked whether the legislators were contemplating the move for political gains, Chyne said, “It is their individual choice.”
He also stressed that any decision by individual legislators to join the BJP should not be construed as the UDP itself aligning with the saffron party. “As of now, as a party we are intact. If individual MLAs join the BJP also, it is not the party joining the BJP,” he said.
Meanwhile, the UDP general secretary launched a sharp attack on Paul Lyngdoh for repeatedly raising questions over the party leadership, saying the West Shillong MLA had rarely attended party meetings where such issues could have been discussed internally. “First of all, I don’t understand why Paul keeps on questioning the leadership issue, that too right from the day there was a reshuffle of ministers,” Chyne said.
He said Lyngdoh should have raised his concerns in party forums instead of speaking publicly. “If he had been serious about it, he should have attended the meetings. We had called meetings from time to time, but he never attended them,” Chyne said.
According to him, Lyngdoh attended only the most recent Central Executive Committee meeting over the past year. “Only the last CEC meeting he attended — that is the only meeting he attended in this one year. So, I don’t understand why he is questioning the leadership issue,” Chyne added.
The developments come amid growing uncertainty within the UDP as eight legislators move closer to the BJP, deepening concerns over the future strength and unity of the regional party.
