Shillong, Sep 17:United Democratic Party (UDP) president and new cabinet minister Metbah Lyngdoh has sought to dismiss rumours of a rift in the party, specifically with outgoing minister Paul Lyngdoh.
Paul and another UDP legislator, Kyrmen Shylla, had to give way in yesterday’s cabinet reshuffle to Metbah and Lahkmen Rymbui.
Paul pointedly chose to skip the swearing-in ceremony of the new ministers at Raj Bhavan yesterday, instead opting to spend his last hours in charge in office. Speaking to reporters, Paul said that he had been surprised by having to give up his cabinet berth and saw it as a personal setback.
Today, Metbah told the media that a collective decision was within the UDP for the two sitting ministers to give up their seats for Metbah and Rymbui.
Clarifying the process, Metbah said the changes, including the transition of portfolios between him and Rymbui, were made with the backing of all party stakeholders. “Every MLA and leader was part of the discussion,” he stressed, rejecting suggestions that the reshuffle was imposed unilaterally.
He emphasised that the UDP remains united, pointing out that all 12 MLAs continue to stand together. While differences of opinion are bound to exist in any political organisation, he said such debates should be seen as constructive and aimed at strengthening the party rather than creating divisions.
Asked whether the outgoing ministers were satisfied with the outcome, the UDP chief expressed confidence that those affected had been involved in the process and were comfortable with the decisions taken.
On speculation that the reshuffle was linked to merit or performance, Metbah firmly denied it, saying such discussions never took place. According to him, linking the exercise to performance would only fuel needless controversies.
