Shillong: Meghalaya’s second-largest political party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), is grappling with internal instability following a year marked by leadership disputes and cabinet changes. While party president Metbah Lyngdoh maintains that the organization remains unified, political observers see clear signs of division.
Friction became apparent during a recent Assembly session, where West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh confronted Metbah Lyngdoh over the status of the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission. The heated exchange followed a contentious cabinet reshuffle, where Paul Lyngdoh lost his ministerial position to make way for the party president under a rotational agreement. Speculation persists that this transition created lasting resentment among displaced legislators.
The party faced further scrutiny this week during the unveiling of Vivan G.K. Kynta as the candidate for the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election. Several high-profile members, including Paul Lyngdoh, Kyrmen Shylla, and Lahkmen Rymbui, were absent from the event. Leadership attributed the absences to personal and official obligations, but the lack of attendance fueled rumors of deeper organizational strain.
Compounding these issues, the UDP’s Shillong City District unit formally expressed dissatisfaction regarding the candidate selection process. In a resolution dated May 25, the unit claimed the leadership failed to consult them on the by-election choice. The unit also alleged that its previous attempts to seek clarification from top party officials have been ignored, highlighting a growing disconnect within the party's urban stronghold.
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