Meghalaya: UDP withdraws from government ending 13-year alliance with NPP
The United Democratic Party exited the ruling coalition after its president and lone legislator resigned from his position as a Cabinet minister.
The United Democratic Party (UDP) announced its withdrawal from the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-II government on Tuesday, according to The Sentinel. This move ends a 13-year political partnership between the UDP and the National People's Party (NPP).
The decision came after UDP president and sole legislator Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from his post as a Cabinet minister. General secretary Titosstarwell Chyne stated that the party's Central Executive Committee approved the withdrawal unanimously during an emergency meeting.
Chyne said that Lyngdoh had chosen to step down of his own accord following discussions with party leaders and was not under any pressure to do so. He noted that the UDP intends to reorganise and strengthen its presence in constituencies lacking an MLA or MDC.
The NPP, which has 36 MLAs, maintains enough support to continue the government. Chyne added that the NPP can run the administration with the help of two HSPDP MLAs and 11 former UDP legislators.