UDP-NPP ties haven’t strained: Paul Lyngdoh

SHILLONG, May 10: UDP leader and Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh on Wednesday said he does not think the party’s relationship with the NPP, which heads the ruling coalition, has strained.
“I do not think there is any strain (in the relationship),” Lyngdoh told reporters.
“People can say a lot of things but we are here to serve the interests of the state. I am one who is least bothered by such speculations,” he added.
Lyngdoh said the elections to the Sohiong seat earlier had to be deferred as the UDP candidate passed away.
On NPP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s allusion to a political change after the Sohiong polls, Lyngdoh said, “He is the best person to comment again and again but the verdict of 2023 has to be respected.”
Stating that the NPP could not form the government on its own as it finished with 26 seats, he said, “When you analyse the election results sector-wise, you will find the Garo Hills sector mainly voted in favour of the NPP while the Khasi-Jaintia sector voted for the UDP which had won 11 seats.”
On the NPP’s appeal to political parties to merge themselves with it, Lyngdoh said, “We also appeal to the NPP to merge itself with us”.
At the same time however, he said he is not aware if the NPP indeed made such an appeal. He said during election rallies with multiple speakers on the dais, someone will always say something new to draw attention.
Lyngdoh is confident the UDP will win the Sohiong seat.
“We are comfortable. We had six MLAs in the last Assembly and if we manage to win this seat, we will have 12 which means a 50% increase in our tally. We have a good chance of winning.”