Shillong, May 23: The United Democratic Party (UDP), once a significant player in Meghalaya’s political arena, is now grappling with a leadership crisis.
Sources said the party is struggling to find a candidate willing to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll. Political observers feel the UDP has ceded political space to the Voice of the People Party (VPP).
Current sentiments among party members indicate a lack of confidence in the UDP leadership
With the Lok Sabha bypoll looming, whose date is yet to be announced, many see it as a litmus test for the party’s influence. Discontent among the party’s ranks is palpable, with some members waiting for the right moment to voice their grievances or switch allegiance to rival factions.
“Those already disgruntled with the party leadership are biding their time,” sources said. Many believe that ahead of the 2028 Assembly polls, several sitting legislators could leave for other parties.
Compounding the UDP’s challenges are the high-profile exits of notable leaders. The resignation of former General Secretary Jemino Mawthoh has created a significant leadership void, especially with his strong ties to urban constituencies. Furthermore, other district-level leaders have also left, diminishing the UDP’s foothold in crucial regions such as Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
As per reports, senior leader and former cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh has declined to contest the bypoll. Robertjune Kharjahrin, who contested in 2024, is also not keen on entering the fray, according to insiders.
Both leaders are considered among the few remaining faces with state-wide recognition, and their reluctance has deepened the uncertainty.
The UDP’s decline has been gradual but evident since the 2023 Assembly elections. The party won 12 seats and decided to partner with the NPP.
While the UDP remains a constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, its influence within the coalition has diminished, with the NPP calling the shots on key policy and political decisions.
The upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated by the vacancy in the Shillong parliamentary seat after the demise of Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon, a VPP MP.
The Congress has named its state president, Vincent H. Pala, as its candidate. Similarly, the NPP is set to field Dr. DRL Nonglait, whilst the VPP has nominated its spokesperson, Batskhem Myrboh, for the upcoming by-election. The BJP is yet to pick one from four aspirants even as speculations are rife about potential candidates like cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai and former IPS officer Mariahom Kharkrang.
For the UDP, the challenge is twofold, finding a credible candidate and preventing further erosion before 2028.
Senior leaders admit privately that the party needs introspection and a generational shift.
Sources said that the bypoll, whenever it is held, will indicate whether the party can still command loyalty among voters or if its slide will continue.
