SHILLONG, OCT 31: United Democratic Party chief Metbah Lyngdoh on Saturday stepped down as cabinet minister in the Conrad Sangma-led MDA government, citing the exodus of 11 MLAs which left him as the lone legislator of the party.
“After 11 MLAs have left me as a lone MLA and the party, after very thorough and careful consideration I have taken the decision that I will not be able to continue as Cabinet Minister in the MDA government. Today I have placed my resignation letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma with immediate effect,” Lyngdoh told reporters.
He was handling Power, Water Resources, Taxation and Textiles portfolios since September last year.
Explaining further, he said the political scenario in the state forced him to take decisions as a mature leader.
“Considering the nature of the political scenario in the state, I feel I should take a decision as a mature person.”
On the future course, Lyngdoh said resignation as minister is the first decision, second decision on support to MDA will be taken after party discussion.
“For now, I am resigning as a minister of the cabinet. In the second instance, we will take it after discussion within the party, that again is the decision of the party,” he said.
He refused to comment on whether he will sit in Opposition, saying, “I will leave it to the party, to CEC office bearers to take a call and suggest accordingly.”
On whether he will continue to support the government, he said a decision will follow in days to come after consulting all stakeholders and will be decided in the CEC meeting on November 3.
Dismissing pressure talk, he said, “I will never take any decision under pressure because under pressure you will make lots of mistakes. This decision is not taken under any kind of pressure but we will always take a very mature and right decision.”
“This is a party matter of UDP, we have taken decisions from the party line,” he said.
On acceptance of resignation, he said, “I have just forwarded a letter to him, he will definitely accept it.”
When asked if MDA partners backstabbed UDP by poaching MLAs, he said, “I have nothing to say as far as that part is concerned.”
