Shillong, Dec 3: Former cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh, the MLA for West Shillong, today scotched rumours that he will quit the United Democratic Party (UDP) for the National People’s Party (NPP), saying that the idea had not crossed his mind.
It is no secret that Lyngdoh was disappointed at having been removed as a cabinet minister from the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government during the reshuffle two months back. He was axed not due to a decision by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma (who heads the NPP) or because of poor performance but because other UDP members wanted to sit behind the steering wheel.
However, his hypothetical defection to the NPP would be something of a surprise for Lyngdoh, who cut his teeth in a student pressure group before entering politics where he has positioned himself in Meghalaya-centric parties. Being a member of the NPP, a titular national party concentrated in Meghalaya with smaller roles in other North East states, would go against this local narrative.
“It hasn’t crossed my mind to leave the UDP. If there are any issues, they should be discussed internally within the party,” Lyngdoh told reporters today.
Acknowledging internal discussions following the party’s recent reshuffle, Lyngdoh emphasised that these are matters for the party to address internally, with some sections expressing unhappiness over how it was handled. He asserted his steadfast commitment to the party, declaring, “I insist on one point throughout my political career: I am always a fighter and not a quitter. I will not quit that easily.”
Yesterday, the CM did not rule out Lyngdoh joining the NPP but called it “premature”. “Leaving and joining — this happens in politics. There’s a lot of talk, discussions that take place, but at the end of the day, let’s see how things unfold. And when the final time comes, we’ll let you know,” he added.
