Shillong, Oct 14: “Let the people judge if it is betrayal.” That was United Democratic Party (UDPP) general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne’s sharp response regarding the eight MLAs who ditched the party recently to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking on Wednesday, Chyne did not hide that the defection has hit hard.
“Of course, their defection has affected the party to a larger extent. But when they have left the party on their own, we cannot do anything about it,” he said.
The defections resulted in the party’s strength in the Meghalaya Assembly crumbling from 12 to just four. Not all the remainers are assured to stick with the party either.
When asked if the eight betrayed the mandate given to a regional party, Chyne said, “Let the people judge. It is up to the people to judge.”
Despite being crippled, the UDP is not giving up. Chyne declared the party will contest the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election and rebuild from the ground up.
“We will go ahead. Now we are still organising meetings in different places,” he said, asserting the party is already in revival mode. The immediate task is also to strengthen the party organisation in the eight constituencies left vacant.
“We have to find new leaders and candidates to further strengthen the party. It is the duty of the party to gather whoever is there in these constituencies who are with the UDP to work and strengthen the party. We have started organising meetings,” he said.
Chyne also claimed many former members want to return.
“There are many people who want to join the party, including those who have left the party. They have expressed interest to rejoin. The people I have met want the regional party to be strong in the state,” he said.
