Shillong: Describing the reported possibility of eight UDP legislators joining the BJP as a matter of “probability” rather than mere speculation, senior UDP leader and Cabinet Minister Lahkmen Rymbui on Tuesday said political developments in Meghalaya could take an unexpected turn.
Rymbui, however, stopped short of confirming any move by the legislators, saying that what is expected in politics does not always materialise and that developments can unfold differently.
His remarks come amid reports that eight of the UDP’s 12 MLAs are in discussions with senior BJP leaders over a possible switch.
Rymbui said the UDP, as an organisation, remained united, but maintained that individual legislators would have to make their own political decisions after carefully assessing the circumstances.
He said such decisions should take into account the interests of their constituencies as well as larger issues concerning the State, stressing that an MLA’s primary responsibility is to the people they represent.
Rymbui also said there had been no discussion within the UDP on any leadership change so far. He declined to comment on what individual MLAs might decide, saying he could speak only on the party’s position and not on the personal political choices of its legislators.
On suggestions that some legislators could be looking for “greener pastures”, Rymbui again avoided making a categorical assessment. He said political developments should be viewed with a “conscious mind” rather than through assumptions.
The UDP has 12 MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly and is the second-largest party in the House. It is also a coalition partner in the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Alexander Laloo Hek said the party was open to leaders from across the political spectrum.
“The door is always open and wide open,” Hek said, adding that the BJP would welcome those interested in joining, whether from the UDP, NPP, VPP or any other party.
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Hek also said there was no question of him claiming leadership simply on the basis of his seniority. He said the BJP would need a leader capable of bringing everyone together and working towards forming a strong government.
Asked whether the BJP’s central leadership had sought his opinion or recommendations regarding the reported political developments, Hek said it was the role of the central leadership to engage with state leaders when discussions are held with leaders of other political parties.
On the BJP’s preparations for the 2028 Assembly elections, Hek said the party had already identified potential constituencies and was conducting surveys to identify suitable candidates.
“We have identified potential seats and we need potential faces. We are surveying,” he said.
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