Shillong, Aug 31 (IANS) The regional political party in Meghalaya, United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday firmly rejected reports of a possible mass defection of party legislators to the BJP, asserting that all 12 UDP MLAs remain with the party and are currently in Meghalaya.

Lyngdoh said he had personally spoken to all the party legislators and none had indicated any intention to join the BJP. “There is no problem in UDP as of now. I have spoken to all MLAs directly, not through third persons, and none of them said they are joining the BJP. I heard this only from the media,” he said.

Dismissing reports that nine UDP MLAs were preparing to merge with the BJP, Lyngdoh said such claims were based purely on speculation. “Speculation will remain speculation. I will tell you only what is happening,” the UDP chief said. He also rejected reports that UDP legislators had travelled to Delhi in recent days to negotiate a merger with the BJP.

Lyngdoh said he had remained in Shillong throughout the week and had travelled to Delhi only the previous Monday for an official programme related to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). He clarified that nine UDP MLAs had earlier met Union Home Minister Amit Shah over proposed amendments to the FCRA, but the meeting had subsequently been interpreted as a political exercise.

The UDP president also dismissed reports of legislators camping in Guwahati and Kolkata for discussions with BJP leaders. He said four MLAs — Pius Marwein, Balajied Synrem, Kyrmen Shylla and Shynshar Lyngdoh — travelled to Kolkata on Saturday evening for personal business and not for political negotiations. Other legislators, including B Kurbah, Olan Sing Suin and Lahkmen Rymbui, were in Shillong, he said.

Lyngdoh further denied reports of growing dissatisfaction within the UDP over his leadership, saying he had personally spoken with the MLAs and none had expressed discontent. “There is no discontent over my leadership,” he said.

Amid speculation following his induction into the Meghalaya Cabinet and the dropping of Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla, the UDP president also ruled out any internal attempt to create divisions.

He urged the media to independently verify political claims before publishing them, warning that unverified reports could create confusion among the public. “Please verify before building any news,” Lyngdoh said.

–IANS

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