United Democratic Party (UDP) in a Dilemma Over Assembly Speaker’s Post

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Although the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the United Democratic Party (UDP) recently entrusted its MLAs to elect one among them for the post of Assembly Speaker, however there are not too many takers for the job.

It may be mentioned that recently the names of two MLAs – Cabinet Ministers – Lakhmen Rymbui and Metbah Lyngdoh – had cropped up for the post of Speaker but both have declined to take up the offer.

It may be mentioned that after the demise of party leader – Dr Donkupar Roy who was also the Assembly Speaker, the UDP had always maintained that the post should be given to them.

But now with senior legislators of the party declining to take up the job, the UDP is in a dilemma.

According to sources in the UDP, if no MLAs of the party, which includes two independent MLAs – SK Sunn and Samuel Sangma as associate members — are not willing to take up the Speaker’s post then there will be further consultations with the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA) — a pre-poll alliance of the UDP — and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP).

The HSPDP has two members in the Assembly – Cabinet Ministers Samlin Malgniang and Renikton Tongkhar.

“We may entrust the job of seeking a suitable candidate for the Assembly Speaker’s post to the RDA. However, we are keen that one of our MLAs should take up the post,” sources said.

The source also said that the UDP wants to make sure that the Speaker’s job is taken up by the UDP since it is their share.

Also Read: United Democratic Party (UDP) To Elect Party Chief on September 11

Also Watch: Bipasa Hrangkhawal- the first woman air traffic controller of Tripura