Once considered as a kingmaker political party in Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) is now facing a huge existential crisis as political defections have finally reached the UDP’s top leadership. The first casualty of the party’s dramatic collapse is its own president.
United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh on Saturday resigned as Cabinet minister in the Conrad K. Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA)
It was once the single-largest regional party in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region of Meghalaya. My resignation is effective immediately. This is first decision of the party, other decision will follow.”
“Due to the current political scenario arising in the state, where 11 MLAs of UDP has left me as lone MLA in the party. I decided I will not be able to cabinet minister in the MDA government, so therefore, today I have placed my resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. With 11 of its 12 MLAs having walked out of the party, UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh on Saturday resigned as Cabinet minister in the Conrad K Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government after serving in the cabinet for over a year.
Metbah said he could no longer continue as a minister when his party had been reduced to a single MLA in the assembly. Announcing his decision, Metbah said the changing political situation had made it difficult for him to continue as a cabinet minister.
