SHILLONG, July 31: With just a few months left for the state to go to elections, the United Democratic Party (UDP) is trying to keep its flock together at the grassroots-level by deciding to iron out differences and organisational issues through dialogues.
“We have to look at what is going on as far as the organisational structure is concerned in Mawlai. We have a circle and we will get the inputs and reports from the circle soon. We are trying to find out the reason,” UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said on Sunday.
Former Mawlai legislator and chief adviser of UDP state youth wing Embhahlang Syiemlieh had resigned from the party along with six other leaders recently. Alleged neglect of them by party leaders was cited as one of the reasons behind the resignation.
“We will have to examine the matter and find out from our party functionaries in Mawlai and leaders what actually is the reason that made Embhahlang take that stand,” Mawthoh said.
He said not just the UDP but all political parties get affected by instances of members shifting allegiance and problems cropping up in organisational matters ahead of elections.
“The leaders will meet and we will also try to get inputs from the leaders of Mawlai constituency. Only then that we will be able to tell what exactly is going on there,” Mawthoh said, adding, “There may be some differences but they can be resolved,” he added.
Asked if suspended Congress MLA PT Sawkmie’s desire to join the UDP is the main reason, Mawthoh said, “Embhahlang himself had facilitated it but now, these unfortunate things are happening.”
He said the UDP is a big party and it will try to resolve whatever differences are there. He also said that the UDP does not want its members to go in a different direction.
“Our mantra is, come together as one. We are doing this in different constituencies,” he added.
