The United Democratic Party (UDP) has decided to end its nearly three-year association with the ruling coalition in Meghalaya after a series of defections weakened its legislative strength and its president, Metbah Lyngdoh, resigned from the Cabinet, prompting the party’s top leadership to unanimously withdraw support from the Conrad K. Sangma government on November 3.
At A Glance
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The UDP’s Central Executive Committee unanimously decided to withdraw support to the Conrad K. Sangma-led Meghalaya government.
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The decision followed party president Metbah Lyngdoh’s resignation from the state Cabinet on Saturday.
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A series of defections reduced the UDP from 12 MLAs after the 2023 Assembly elections to just one, while the government’s majority remains unaffected.
The United Democratic Party (UDP), a key constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA-II), has formally decided to withdraw its support to the Conrad K. Sangma-led government. The decision marks the end of the party’s nearly three-year partnership with the ruling coalition and follows a significant decline in its strength in the state Assembly.
The party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) unanimously approved the withdrawal at a meeting on Tuesday. The development came after UDP president and lone MLA Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from the state Cabinet on Saturday.
UDP General Secretary Titosstarwell Chyne confirmed the decision while briefing reporters after the meeting. He said the party leadership considered its president’s departure from the Cabinet an important reason to reconsider the UDP’s association with the government.
UDP Leadership Unanimously Backs Withdrawal
Chyne said Metbah Lyngdoh informed the CEC about his resignation from the ministerial position during Tuesday’s meeting.
According to the general secretary, Lyngdoh also told the committee that he had submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday.
Following the disclosure, the CEC discussed the party’s position within the ruling coalition. Members concluded that the UDP should no longer remain part of the government after its president stepped down from the Cabinet.
The committee unanimously urged Lyngdoh to formally communicate the party’s decision to withdraw support.
Chyne also dismissed speculation that external pressure had forced the UDP president to resign. He maintained that Lyngdoh had taken the decision voluntarily.
The party’s latest move signals a significant political shift in Meghalaya, where the UDP had remained an important constituent of the ruling MDA-II government.
Series of Defections Weakens UDP’s Assembly Strength
The withdrawal decision comes against the backdrop of a major erosion in the UDP’s legislative strength.
The party entered the 2023 Meghalaya Assembly after winning 12 seats. However, subsequent political developments significantly reduced its representation in the 60-member House.
In September, eight UDP legislators joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Assembly Speaker formally recognised their merger on October 16.
The party suffered another setback when three more legislators crossed over to the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
The three MLAs were Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh. Their merger with the NPP further weakened the UDP’s position in the Assembly.
These developments left Metbah Lyngdoh as the party’s sole remaining legislator.
Thus, the UDP’s representation declined from 12 MLAs after the 2023 Assembly elections to just one. The latest decision to withdraw support now marks another major development in the party’s political journey.
Sangma Government’s Majority Remains Secure
Despite the UDP’s decision, the political arithmetic in the Meghalaya Assembly is unlikely to change significantly.
The ruling NPP currently has 36 legislators in the 60-member Assembly. The BJP has another 10 MLAs.
With the NPP alone commanding a substantial legislative strength, the UDP’s withdrawal is not expected to threaten the stability of the Conrad K. Sangma government.
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The party’s exit from the ruling arrangement is therefore more significant as a political and organisational development than as an immediate challenge to the government’s numerical position.
The decision also comes after the ruling coalition witnessed the merger of several UDP legislators, strengthening the position of its two major constituents.
UDP Plans Organisational Rebuilding Outside Government
Following the withdrawal, the UDP intends to concentrate on rebuilding its organisational structure across Meghalaya.
Chyne said the party would give particular attention to constituencies where it no longer has elected representatives. The leadership wants to strengthen its grassroots presence and restore its organisational network after the recent defections.
He also argued that staying outside the government would give the UDP greater political independence.
According to Chyne, the party would now be able to raise public concerns without the constraints of being part of the ruling coalition. It would also independently question government decisions and hold the administration accountable on matters affecting the people of Meghalaya.
The UDP’s decision to withdraw support therefore marks the beginning of a new political phase for the party. After losing most of its Assembly representation through successive mergers, it now faces the task of rebuilding its political base while functioning outside the ruling government. (Edited by Enewstime Desk)