Amid internal strife within the United Democratic Party (UDP), Paul Lyngdoh, the party’s working president and MLA for West Shillong, has publicly questioned the party’s commitment to the democratic principles suggested by its name. He emphasized the necessity for inclusive political engagement, asserting that a democratic party must involve its grassroots members meaningfully in the decision-making process, rather than solely focusing on the input from elected officials such as MPs, MLAs, and MDCs. Lyngdoh criticized the trend of engaging grassroots workers only during election periods, arguing that their voices should continue to be relevant in discussions and decisions that occur outside of the electoral context.
He called for fairness and consultative processes in all party decisions and highlighted the importance of understanding that pivotal decisions about the state should involve a broader coalition of party members, including those who might not hold elected positions. His comments come in light of rising dissatisfaction among various UDP members regarding recent leadership decisions, indicating a growing unrest within the party. Lyngdoh acknowledged this discontent and stressed the importance of internal discussions to resolve such issues. Additionally, rumors about his potential departure from the UDP to join the National People’s Party have surfaced but remain unconfirmed. This sense of instability within the UDP was further underscored by a recent foundational event where, just days prior to a Cabinet reshuffle, party president Metbah Lyngdoh stated that there would be no changes in the party’s leadership structure, raising questions about the direction of the party and the efficacy of its decision-making processes.