In denial mode, Metbah dismisses open BJP defection as half-truth

SHILLONG, SEPT 16: In denial mode despite opendeclaration by some of his MLAs, UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh on Wednesdaydismissed reports of 8 party legislators joining the BJP as mere”speculation” and “half-truth.” “Speculation will always be speculation. For me Iconsider it like this – it is neither true nor false. So, it ishalf-truth,” Metbah told reporters. The statement comes even as a section of UDP legislatorshave openly indicated they will join the saffron party soon. While admitting that the issue was discussed in the partymeeting, Metbah maintained that nothing is final. “The status of the speculation that has been doingthe rounds for all these weeks, in fact as a party we already had our meetingand it is understood to whatever extent things were very much there under theconsideration of those MLAs who wish to join the other political parties,”he said. Claiming no dissatisfaction among MLAs, he said,”For me, right now I along with the party we are pursuing the matter toclear any doubts or any kind of misunderstanding within the party among theelected members. But so far, we do not come across any kind of dissatisfactionfrom all elected MLAs, be it one-to-one or be it in the meeting which we havehad from time to time. I have heard also from one-two MLAs, who have expressedopenly that they don’t have anything against the party nor the leadership ofthe party.” Asked about his support base, Metbah said he treats all12 MLAs as one. “For me I consider all the 12 MLAs are together asone. The question of being with me or not does not arise because we are underone umbrella, under one roof and we are under one party,” he said, adding”You better find out and ask all other MLAs whether they are with me orwith whom, I don’t know.” On how he plans to stop the exodus, Metbah said the partyis holding talks. “We are pursuing, trying to clarify to them if theyhave any doubts or any dissatisfaction. But however we don’t find any sort ofthings which we can attempt to clarify and their motives of joining any otherpolitical parties. So far from them also they have not been very clear whetherthey will join today or they will join tomorrow. It all depends on the time, solet’s wait for the time only. We have made all attempts to have discussions andmeetings with all these MLAs from time to time,” he added.