Senior figures in the United Democratic Party have now denied that there is a widespread revolt in the offing. But, despite the reassurance, it is apparent that not all is well within the party.
Dissatisfaction and rebellions are common to political parties but not usually when they are at the top of their game. The UDP may not be at the very top but it has rarely had so much power, at least in recent years.
The second-largest party in the Meghalaya Assembly, the UDP is second in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance only to the National People’s Party. It is now in opposition in both the KHADC and JHADC but there is scope for a resurgence there. It performed dismally in the 2024 Lok Sabha election but that was, it appears, mainly down to the wrong choice of candidate rather than because of a rejection of the party.
Although it is meant to be a statewide party, the UDP has lost ground in Garo Hills and effectively has no representation there.
That has ended up concentrating its powerbase in Khasi-Jaintia Hills but even among the jaitbynriew there is division.
And so the rumour mill went into overdrive over the possible defection of nine out of the sitting 12 MLAs quitting to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. Of the three who remained there were even suggestions that two of these would leave for the NPP.
Were any of these rumours credible? There is no smoke without fire, it is always said, and Meghalaya often sees a churning of members.
It is also no secret that West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh was unhappy after being removed from cabinet last year at the behest of Metbah Lyngdoh, the party president and Mairang legislator. It might be more likely that this was an internal powerplay, a move to demonstrate to Metbah that he no longer commands authority in the party.
Because, quite frankly, it seems incredible that the nine MLAs would even consider tethering themselves to the BJP, which is not going anywhere fast in Meghalaya. The saffron party holds all the reins at the Centre and has deep pockets but the people of Meghalaya have consistently rejected the BJP. And for Paul, who cut his teeth as a leader of a student pressure group before entering electoral politics where he has run on local parties’ tickets, to work with the BJP, with all its religious divisiveness and domination by mainland leaders, would seem completely incongruous.
But stranger things have happened in politics.
