Amidst report of nine UDP MLAs planning to shift allegiance to the BJP, the state’s largest regional party continues to put up a brave face, asserting that a majority of its MLAs remain with the organisation and alleged that someone — inside or outside the party — was trying to create confusion and split it.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said no UDP legislator had publicly declared an intention to join the BJP.
“There’s no one from our party or any MLA who spoke to any news channel or print media that we are going to join BJP.”
He said the reports were being spread for personal interest and to weaken the party in the Assembly.
Asked whether all UDP MLAs were still with the party, Chyne said “almost,” but stressed that the majority remained intact as of Sunday.
He dismissed speculation that party president Metbah Lyngdoh and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui might be dropped from the Cabinet. Any reshuffle, he said, was the Chief Minister’s prerogative, and Conrad K. Sangma had not informed the UDP of any such plan.