SHILLONG: Meghalaya’s political arena is heating up as the regional giant, the United Democratic Party (UDP), throws down the gauntlet for the 2028 Assembly Elections!
Party President Metbah Lyngdoh is projecting an aggressive comeback, asserting that voters are ready for a ‘Homecoming of Regionalism’—but the party’s own house is far from settled after a controversial cabinet reshuffle.
2028: The Regional Dream or Political Disaster?
Metbah Lyngdoh, riding on the UDP’s doubled seat tally in the 2023 elections, is bursting with confidence. “We are very positive… and in 2028, we do expect that we will double the number also by then,” he declared, signalling a major push to reclaim the Chief Minister’s chair after nearly two decades of national party dominance.
Lyngdoh believes the moment is now: “I’m sure that definitely the people have realised and seen how to give the regional parties a chance to take the State leadership.”
UDP’s ‘Silent Churn’: Rift Deepens as Cabinet Mystery Unfolds!
While the President speaks of unity, the UDP is plagued by unsettling internal rumblings following a sudden mid-term cabinet overhaul that has shaken the party’s foundation. The shock removal of senior leaders Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla to make way for Metbah Lyngdoh and Lahkmen Rymbui has sparked speculation of a major rift between the two Lyngdoh, with rumours of a pre-2028 exit for Paul Lyngdoh.
The Central Contradiction:
Prior to the reshuffle, President Metbah Lyngdoh publicly stated there was “no discussion” on any cabinet change.
Despite the denial, the reshuffle went ahead, and Metbah Lyngdoh himself took a ministerial oath!
Two months later, the UDP remains conspicuously silent, refusing to offer an official explanation for the abrupt overhaul. This vacuum of transparency has been flagged by the outgoing minister himself.
Paul Lyngdoh’s conspicuous absence from the September 16 swearing-in ceremony underscored his deep-seated discontent, which he framed as an issue of “political ethics,” not personal disappointment.
In a direct challenge to the internal chatter, Metbah Lyngdoh stated, “If one has any kind of grievances they should express openly within the party’s platform,” but the party’s failure to provide a public explanation continues to fuel the fire.
The Garo Hills Strategy: A Cautious Approach
Looking ahead to the upcoming GHADC elections, the UDP is adopting a measured, local-centric approach. President Lyngdoh confirmed the party will likely contest only a select number of seats, heavily relying on the guidance of their regional leaders.
“They will be aware more than us, what exactly and how to move forward,” Lyngdoh said, indicating a strategy that blends party oversight with grassroots insights, aiming for a focused electoral impact in the Garo Hills region.
The UDP stands at a crucial political crossroads: On one hand, its President is predicting an unprecedented regional resurgence in 2028; on the other, the party is battling serious questions of internal transparency and leadership unity.
Will the promise of a regional ‘Homecoming’ be derailed by the party’s own internal discord?
