Shillong, Aug 12: Four-time legislator of Mairang constituency Metbah Lyngdoh on Saturday was re-elected as president of the United Democratic Party (UDP), which is the largest regional party in the state even as he expressed commitment to take the party to newer heights.
Veteran political leader Bindo M Lanong, however, was not among the new office bearers nominated by the party’s nomination committee and approved during the general council meeting held after a gap of four years.
Lanong, who is presently a nominated member at the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), had contested against the party’s official candidate from Nongkrem constituency in the 2023 Assembly elections.
Lyngdoh was first elected as president of UDP on September 11, 2019 after the demise of former Assembly Speaker (L) Dr Donkupar Roy.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Lyngdoh said, “We will make a sincere effort to see that we take the party forward in a bigger way.”
He also attributed the success of the party to win as many as 12 seats in the 60-member Assembly this year to the UDP team and said, “We have been able to take the party up to this level because of the team work. Each and every member of the team has really contributed to the success of the party.”
Lyngdoh also said the party is however not satisfied and has decided to better its performance in the future.
Asked on the Centre’s delay to examine the demand for implementation of the ILP in Meghalaya, the UDP chief said that his party will ensure that the matter is being pursued again and again till the Centre responds in a very positive way.
Referring to the recently held meeting in New Delhi on the issue, he said it was not the first time that the State delegation led by chief minister Conrad K Sangma met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his necessary intervention into the important issues that also include Khasi and Garo languages to be included in the Eighth Schedule.
Stating that ILP is a long pending issue, Lyngdoh said, “We will again discuss with the government along with the chief minister on how we pursue this matter so that it sees the light of the day.”
On Dr Donkupar Roy’s dream to unify the regional parties in the state, the UDP chief said talks are still on with other regional parties.
“We are trying to ensure that the regionalism approach is still in place. We are still together with the (Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) under the) Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA). Again we will meet as RDA and discuss related issues, which are concerning the indigenous people,” he said.
Whether Lanong is no longer in the UDP, Lyngdoh however did not give a direct reply but said, “Whatever the nomination committee has decided, those are the new office bearers of the party.”
Meanwhile, the UDP chief informed that the core group of the party will soon sit down to make plans and take decisions on how to move forward as far as upcoming Lok Sabha and ADC elections are concerned.
UDP is a major ally of the National People’s Party – led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.
Asked on the NPP’s decision to topple the UDP-led EC in the KHADC recently, Lyngdoh said that the matter was discussed at the party level but the matter is with the MDC although the party is not leaving everything to them.
“We are also part of it but when it comes to the district council, you don’t have the anti-defection law, anybody can move here and there,” he said while adding that the party is confident that things will change in the ADCs once the amendments to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution are finalized.
Meanwhile, Lanong has been replaced by BG Momin as adviser of the UDP.
Former Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh was also reelected as general secretary.
The new body of the UDP has eight working presidents – Paul Lyngdoh, Titosstarwell Chyne, Nujorki Sungoh, Lahkmen Rymbui, Donbok Khymdeit, Rikman Sangma, LC Momin and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, four vice presidents – Allantry F Dkhar, Process Sawkmie, Shitlang Pale and Mayralborn Syiem, nine secretaries — Lasky Rymbai, Jambor War, Balajied Ranee, Mitchell Wankhar, Winning Sungoh, GG Bung Snaitang, Dr Aman War, Teinwell Dkhar and Monarch Shabong, 4 joint secretaries – Ryngkat Lyndem, Sunshine Makri, Anvil Lyngdoh and Tirot Sing Suchiang, finance secretary – Michael War, joint finance secretary – Markynsai Khongwir, treasurer – Beyondstar Kurbah.
Pretty Kharpyngrope was also re-elected as president of the women’s wing, Wandashisha Rynjah as secretary.
Cabinet minister Kyrmen Shylla was also nominated as president of the youth wing and Shella MLA Balajied Synrem as secretary.
Ollan Sing Suin was nominated as president of the farmers wing, Synshar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah as secretary and Remington Pyngrope as joint secretary.
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