Hek meets Shah as 8 UDP MLAs plan to switch sides

SHILLONG, SEP 11: Senior BJP leader Alexander Laloo Hek met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Friday, and discussed Meghalaya’s current political situation, even as a rebel United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator revealed that eight UDP lawmakers are switching to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Hek, who was summoned by Shah to the national capital, said that the BJP is gearing up to emerge as an independent force and form its own government in Meghalaya.
On the other hand, the UDP’s internal infighting came out into the open when seven out of the 12 party legislators skipped the 29th foundation day event organized at the UDP headquarters in Shillong on Friday.
The legislators who skipped the meeting include, Paul Lyngdoh, Kyrmen Shylla, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah and Synshar Roy Kupar Lyngdoh.
Only five legislators Metbah Lyngdoh, Lahkmen Rymbui, Nujorki Sungoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Olan Singh Suiñ, one of the eight MLAs in the list of switching side to the BJP, attended the UDP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting.
The UDP is the second-largest constituent in the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance coalition, in which the BJP, with two legislators, is a minor ally.
Suiñ, who visibly delighted, admitted that the move to join the BJP can happen anytime, if issues and demands put forward by the eight legislators of the UDP are met.
“Inside, during the CEC meeting of the UDP, I have stated very clearly that talks with the BJP are there on our demands,” Suiñ told reporters outside the UDP office, while shedding light on the lawmakers’ plans to defect to the saffron party.
“This is the CEC meeting and I am still a member and legislator of the UDP. I attended because I need to attend it,” he said.
Stating that the “mission” of the eight UDP legislators is to join the BJP if their demands are fulfilled, Suiñ said, “Anything can happen any day, and we want to accomplish our mission.”
He also revealed that it is the “mission” of eight legislators of the UDP to join the BJP if the demands are fulfilled.
“Anything can happen any day and we want to accomplish our mission,” the UDP legislator said.
According to Suiñ, the defection of the eight UDP legislators depends entirely on the Central government fulfilling their key demands, which span the inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, coal mining relaxation for small landholders, relocation of settlers from Sweepers Lane or Harijan Colony in Shillong to another place, besides resolutions on the FCRA and Meghalaya Resident Safety and Security Act.
“Whether it will happen very soon, I do not know, but anything can happen. That is politics. Politics can change in one day,” Suiñ said, hinting at the sudden change of politics in the state. However, UDP General Secretary Titosstarwell Chyne dismissed rumors of a split, insisting that the regional party remains intact.
“As of today, there is no such thing. Some of the legislators attended the meeting and some have informed that they could not attend. There is no question of jumping ship or leaving the party. They will remain as they are. Our party is intact, our legislators are intact, but we cannot anticipate what will happen tomorrow,” Chyne told reporters.
Earlier, Hek shared his assessment of the emerging political space and the clear opportunity for the BJP in the state with Union Home Minister. “I sought Amit Shah’s guidance, encouragement and blessings as we move forward with a clear political objective to strengthen our organisation across the state, earn the confidence of the people, and work towards forming our own government in Meghalaya,” the veteran BJP legislator said.
“The political scenario is changing, and the coming days will be decisive. We are prepared to seize this opportunity with determination and discipline,” he said, reflecting on his high-level meeting with the Union Home Minister.
He said the BJP was aiming to provide a “strong, stable and accountable leadership” in the state.
“The political landscape is changing, and the coming days will be decisive. We are prepared to seize this opportunity with determination, discipline and a clear sense of purpose,” Hek said.
“Our goal is not merely to be a participant in Meghalaya’s politics, but to provide strong, stable and accountable leadership through a government of our own, rooted in the aspirations and interests of the people of Meghalaya,” Hek asserted.