By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 7: United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and Mawsynram MLA Olan Sing Suin on Sunday downplayed reports of rift within the party following the resignation of former party vice-president Robertjune Kharjahrin, saying differences of opinion and exits are common in political parties and do not indicate any division within the organisation.
Responding to Kharjahrin’s decision to quit the party, Suin said the UDP remains united and takes decisions through consensus. He maintained that there is no rift within the party and that members continue to work together on all major issues.
On the UDP’s support for NPP candidate James P.K. Sangma in the upcoming Rajya Sabha election, Suin clarified that the decision was taken by the MDA parliamentary party and not by any individual political party.
He said James is the MDA candidate and not of any single constituent party.
Suin also said the UDP has already begun strengthening its organisational structure at the grassroots level and will hold meetings in the coming weeks as part of a strategic effort to reinforce the party’s presence at the constituency, district and state levels.
Kharjahrin resigned from the UDP’s Central Executive Committee and surrendered his primary membership last week, citing his disagreement with the party’s decision to back James Sangma for the Rajya Sabha seat.
In his resignation letter addressed to party president Metbah Lyngdoh and general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne, Kharjahrin said he was disturbed by the decision of UDP legislators to support James Sangma without obtaining the mandate of the party’s Central Executive Committee.
He argued that the move could damage the party’s credibility and create confusion among voters.
