Mawthoh’s exit not to affect UDP, no dissidents within party, says Lyngdoh 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 2, 2025

United Democratic Party (UDP) supremo Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday categorically denied that there is any dissidents within the party following the sudden resignation of its general secretary and former Nongthymmai legislator Jemino Mawthoh.

“So far, there is nothing as such, there is no dissidents in the party,” Lyngdoh told reporters. 

“Even if it is there, (the fact remains that it is there in almost every political party but they (dissidents) are free to express, they are free to share, they are free to discuss in the platform of the party,” he stated.

Also rebutting allegation that Mawthoh’s exit would affect the party, Lyngdoh said, “So anybody leaving our party, who are part of the team definitely we will be missing them but as a party we have to move on come what may, we have to fight, we have to perform and we will try our level best to deliver to the expectation of the people.” 

He also made it clear that there is no rift within the party and said, “I think Mawthoh has also mentioned it very clearly that he don’t have anything against anyone or any individual in the party.”

Mawthoh had submitted his letter of resignation to Lyngdoh on May 20 citing that the decision was “purely personal” and “unavoidable circumstances”.

The UDP chief informed that the issue related to Mawthoh’s resignation will be discussed in the upcoming meeting of the party, which will take place shortly.

“We have many (leaders) so party will decide (on who will be the new general secretary),” he said while refusing to comment on speculation of Mawthoh likely to join other political parties including BJP.

Asked, UDP chief said, “Well, I would like to very clear on this, I don’t know the mind of any person but as far as the letter of resignation is concerned, which was addressed to me is that the reason he stated in the letter was purely personal and that there is nothing beyond that.”

Stating that UDP believes in team work, Lyngdoh said, “So each and every member, who are part of the team they play their own role, they contribute in their own way of doing things and the journey that we are right now and we have been for all these years, it is because of the performance of the team. 

It is not because of the performance of one person.”

“Since the time that I took over as the president, I would like to convey a very strong message that the journey that we have been on till today it is because of the team work of those members who are in the party,”he added.

If the rise of VPP is weakening UDP,  Lyngdoh however said, “For me personally I would like to say like this that it is my duty as a president to see that I am working for the interest of the party. That is my job and my role as a leader of the party, I don’t go beyond that.”

UDP has 12 MLAs in the House of 60 making it the second largest political party in the state.