SHILLONG: United Democratic Party (UDP) President and State Cabinet Minister, Metbah Lyngdoh, stated today that he has absolutely no information regarding the widespread rumors suggesting that Mawkyrwat constituency MLA, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, is planning to defect to the National People’s Party (NPP).
The clarification comes in the wake of recent political developments over the past few months, during which the NPP welcomed a large number of UDP supporters from Mawkyrwat into its fold.
Allegations have been floating around that the majority of those who jumped ship to the NPP are close loyalists of the sitting Mawkyrwat legislator, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar.
Speaking to members of the press, the UDP President clarified the legal distinctions governing political defections, noting that general supporters and party workers possess the ultimate freedom to switch political allegiances from one party to another whenever they wish.
However, he emphasized that elected representatives or MLAs cannot act in such a reckless or arbitrary manner because they are legally bound by stringent political and constitutional frameworks.
Lyngdoh stated that, as the current President of the UDP, he has not received any formal information or indication that the Mawkyrwat MLA intends to align with another political outfit.
He reiterated that while grassroots supporters are entirely free to move between parties—a choice whose internal motivations he cannot fully speak to—elected MLAs do not enjoy the same liberty due to the strict legal checks placed upon them, requiring lawmakers to function strictly in accordance with statutory laws.
Acknowledging the reality that a substantial chunk of UDP supporters from Mawkyrwat have indeed crossed over to the NPP, Lyngdoh shared that, in his capacity as party chief, he has already directed and instructed the executive members of the UDP Mawkyrwat circle to thoroughly investigate and rectify the situation.
He urged them to closely examine whether there is any underlying resentment, grievances, or anger felt by the grassroots supporters toward the local party leadership. Lyngdoh further asserted that the UDP firmly believes the public living in the villages and rural localities constitutes the ultimate and most vital backbone of the party.
It is precisely because of this core belief, he added, that the UDP maintains that if an MLA ever intends to switch over to another political party, the most crucial and mandatory step is to first inform and engage in deep consultations with their own supporters.
