‘Exodus inevitable due to denial-mode leadership, more may leave, consulting supporters’
SHILLONG, SEPT 25: The UDP’s implosion was “inevitable” and its leadership was living in denial, senior legislator Paul Lyngdoh said on Friday, predicting the party that had 12 MLAs in the Khasi-Jaintia sector three years ago could soon be left with just one.
Lyngdoh, who represents West Shillong, said he was not surprised by the joining of 8 UDP MLAs with the BJP in Delhi and has started consulting his supporters on his next move.
“I have spoken many times inside the party that there is a lot of dissatisfaction with the way the party functions. What is sad is that the party leadership is in denial mode, they simply deny that there is nothing wrong,” he told reporters.
Underlining the rapid decline, he said, “Under the current president’s leadership in three years, the party which had 12 out of 36 seats in Khasi-Jaintia sector is left with 4 and from those 4 also the signs indicate that it may come down to just one.”
He hinted the exodus may not be over. “The signs indicate that there are MLAs who will go to other parties,” Lyngdoh said, adding internal sabotage had crippled the ideology.
“Those who push forward that ideology should first push one goal and instead of pushing one goal they tackle their own teammates then it won’t work,” he said.
On rumours of his own switch to the BJP, Lyngdoh said, “There is no need for allegations or speculation. I am at the stage where we are consulting and seeking opinions from the supporters of UDP West Shillong constituency because the party may be left with only one or two MLAs so we have to take a stand on how we will move forward.”
Asked if he will stay, he said consultations are on with all leading functionaries and it will take time.
“This was bound to happen. For one year now we have seen the signs of the rift, whenever we give advice they say why do you bring up such a topic. It is inevitable,” he said.
