Shillong: The United Democratic Party is scrambling to stop a total internal collapse. The Central Executive Committee ordered party president Metbah Lyngdoh to call an emergency Parliamentary Party meeting immediately. Legislators and ministers must hash out their grievances behind closed doors. It is a bid to settle growing friction before the Shillong Lok Sabha by-election.
Working president Paul Lyngdoh confirmed the move. He said, "The view of the council is that the party president should immediately call a Parliamentary Party Committee meeting and discuss all grievances with the MLAs." Leaders hope this session will stop conflicts from spiraling out of control.
The party faces pressure on multiple fronts. Internal stability wobbled after a recent cabinet reshuffle where Paul Lyngdoh dropped his minister post and Metbah Lyngdoh took one. The Shillong City District unit also blasted the party for lack of consultation on candidate selection for the upcoming vote. The resignation of senior leader Jemino Mawthoh last year still looms over the organization.
Outside the party, the Regional Democratic Alliance is fraying. Partner HSPDP has declared neutrality for the by-election instead of supporting the UDP, largely because they wanted to contest under their own symbol. Metbah signaled that a formal review of the alliance will happen later this year. For now, the UDP keeps its course.
Rumors swirl that some MLAs might jump to the BJP following a recent delegation to see Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi. Metbah dismissed the talk, noting the trip was meant to discuss Foreign Contribution Regulation Act concerns and other state issues. Meanwhile, the party is pushing to sharpen its grassroots presence. Metbah insists that regular CEC meetings are the place to iron out policy and strategy ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls.
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