Shillong: Paul Lyngdoh is calling out United Democratic Party president Metbah Lyngdoh. He demands clarity on why Metbah now seeks action against MLAs who joined the BJP. This follows the 2021 precedent where Metbah, then Assembly Speaker, protected the merger of 12 Congress legislators into the Trinamool Congress. Paul Lyngdoh says, "I think he would be the best person to answer that question because he had done something which had set a precedent, and now he wants to do something which is against the precedent which he has set."
The dispute follows a shakeup on September 23. Eight of the 12 UDP MLAs joined the BJP in New Delhi. They submitted a merger letter to the Assembly Secretariat last Friday. Andrew Simons, Adviser for Legislation, accepted the files while Speaker Thomas A. Sangma was away. The Speaker must now review this move under the Tenth Schedule.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne denies a total party merger. He insists the UDP keeps its name, flag, and Drum symbol. He maintains the party will fight the next election independently. The UDP remains part of the MDA ruling alliance.
Separately, Paul Lyngdoh dismissed an invitation to return to the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement. The party, led by working president Thomas Passah, seeks to rebuild before the 2028 assembly elections. Lyngdoh called a comeback a difficult option. He noted the party has collapsed twice already. With just 14 months until the 2028 polls, he considers reviving it a formidable task. Lyngdoh founded the party but moved his allegiance to the UDP in 2011.
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