1 hr ago
Meghalaya UDP MLA Says BJP Talks Continue, Party Denies Switch
A group of eight lawmakers from Meghalaya’s UDP may be considering joining or working with the BJP.
UDP lawmaker Ollan Singh Suin said the group is speaking with the BJP and that many outcomes are possible.
He said they are asking for several things, including official recognition for the Khasi language and changes related to coal mining.
Suin said they are not asking for ministerial jobs.
The UDP’s general secretary disagreed with the idea that lawmakers are leaving the party.
He said the party and its lawmakers are still together.
The party held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation.
The meeting took place in Shillong and included lawmakers and other party officials.
UDP MLA Ollan Singh Suin said an eight-member group is in talks with the BJP and that “anything can happen.”
Suin said the group has raised demands including constitutional recognition for Khasi, coal-mining regulation changes, the Metor issue and FCRA matters.
He denied that the legislators were negotiating for ministerial positions, saying the National People’s Party has the majority.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said there was no question of legislators leaving and that the party remained united.
The UDP held an emergency Central Executive Committee meeting in Shillong, attended by about five MLAs along with other party representatives.
- Who
- UDP MLA Ollan Singh Suin, an eight-member group of UDP legislators, UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne, and the BJP are involved in the reported discussions.
- What
- An eight-member group within the UDP is reportedly in talks with the BJP about a possible political realignment, while the UDP leadership denies that legislators are leaving.
- Where
- The UDP emergency meeting was held at the party office near Shillong College on Bomfyle Road in Shillong, Meghalaya; some discussions reportedly took place in Delhi.
- When
- The statements and emergency party meeting took place on Friday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Why
- Suin said the group is pursuing demands involving Khasi language recognition, coal-mining regulations, the Metor issue and FCRA matters.
Claims of BJP Talks
UDP Denial of Defection
Whether legislators are considering a switch
Claims of BJP Talks
Ollan Singh Suin said an eight-member team within the UDP is in touch with the BJP, has held discussions and could take further action depending on the response to its demands.
UDP Denial of Defection
Titosstarwell Chyne said there was no question of lawmakers jumping or leaving the party and that the UDP and its MLAs remained united.
Purpose of the discussions
Claims of BJP Talks
Suin said the group is pressing demands concerning Khasi language recognition, coal-mining regulations, the Metor issue and FCRA matters, rather than seeking ministerial berths.
UDP Denial of Defection
The UDP leadership did not acknowledge any political negotiation or defection plan and instead said the emergency meeting addressed the current political situation.
Key facts
- Reported group
- Eight UDP legislators are described as being in contact with the BJP.
- UDP spokesperson
- Ollan Singh Suin, the MLA from Mawsynram, acknowledged the talks.
- Reported demands
- The group cited inclusion of Khasi in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, lifting coal-mining regulations, the Metor issue and FCRA matters.
- Ministerial positions
- Suin said the group was not bargaining for ministerial berths.
- UDP denial
- General secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said there was no question of legislators leaving and that the party remained united.
- Emergency meeting
- The UDP held an emergency Central Executive Committee meeting attended by about five to six MLAs, MDCs and other party representatives.
- Meeting location
- The meeting took place at the UDP office near Shillong College on Bomfyle Road, Shillong.
Quotes
Titosstarwell Chyne
General secretary of the United Democratic Party
“We have put forward the demand for inclusion of Khasi Language into the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, lifting of regulation on coal mining since we have small landholdings, the Metor issue, FCRA.”
NDTV
“We will see once they agree to our demands. If the Union Government agrees to our demands, what is the problem?”
NDTV
Sources
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