The reports that as many as nine MLAs of the United Democratic Party (UDP) could switch to the BJP may have some truth to them, UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh has said, attributing the speculation to growing frustration and uncertainty among party legislators.
Speaking on the reported possibility of a group of nine UDP MLAs leaving the party, Lyngdoh, who has been speculated to be one of the key figures in the group, said the MLAs were frustrated and that the lack of clarity was prompting some of them to explore other political options.
He said the discontent among the MLAs was evident during the UDP General Executive Council meeting, where several members openly expressed strong dissatisfaction with the party’s current situation. According to Lyngdoh, members also pointed out that there were no visible signs of growth or progress for the party, which he said had contributed to the reports emerging over the past few days.
Lyngdoh also said he had sought performance reports from the two UDP ministers after the recent reshuffle of the MDA-II Cabinet.
Asked whether he was part of the group allegedly planning to join the BJP, Lyngdoh said he could not comment on what may happen next, as he was not part of the recent meetings held in Delhi and Kolkata.
He said that during his two-and-a-half years as a minister, there had been no visible signs of a split within the UDP, but the situation had changed significantly within just a year, with reports of two ministers being replaced and speculation that two more MLAs could join another political party.
Lyngdoh also denied being the leader of the alleged group of nine MLAs, saying that, at present, Lahkmen Rymbui appeared to be leading the group. However, he added that it was difficult to predict what could unfold in the coming weeks, noting that “one week is a very long time in politics.”
Asked when the nine MLAs would join the BJP, Lyngdoh said he had no information about the timing, manner or circumstances, as he was not part of the meetings the group reportedly held with senior BJP leaders in Delhi and Kolkata.
He said the developments concerning the UDP would have to be discussed once the situation became clearer.
Lyngdoh, however, said one thing was already evident: the UDP’s decline, the rise of the Voice of the People Party (VPP), and the potential growth of the BJP if nine UDP MLAs were to switch sides were developments that required a closer examination of why they were happening.
