SHILLONG:
The United Democratic Party (UDP) could be heading for a split with some disgruntled members, who are not happy with the party president, Metbah Lyngdoh, reportedly planning to form United Democratic Party (O) or the United Democratic Party (Original).
According to sources, the plan to split the UDP stems from the fact that some senior party leaders are not willing to work with Lyngdoh and they had even met in Shillong in this regard on August 16.
They alleged that the present leadership under the party president was running the party at their whims and fancies.
They alleged that many senior party leaders are being denied party tickets for the 2023 assembly elections and leaders from other parties are being preferred.
According to reports, the former MLA from Mawlai constituency, Embhahlang Syiemlieh, was ignored and denied the party ticket and in his place suspended Congress legislator, Process T Sawkmie is being preferred.
Syiemlieh recently resigned from the party.
These disgruntled leaders also alleged that the UDP president totally rejected the offer of sitting All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) legislator from Mawsynram Himalaya Shangpliang to join the party.
Lyngdoh instead has assured that the party ticket for the 2023 assembly polls will be given to O Suiñ, a UDP member.
It may be mentioned that in recent months, senior UDP leader and one of the founding members of the party, Bindo M Lanong, had expressed his displeasure at the fact that he may be denied a party ticket to contest from Nongkrem.
The party leadership is giving preference to sitting independent legislator Lambor Malngiang.
Moreover, it is also learnt that former Member of District Council from Umsning constituency, Donkupar Sumer, will not get the party ticket.
However, another party source said that the reports of the UDP splitting are not true.
“These are just rumours spread by those members who will be denied party ticket for the 2023 assembly election,” sources said.