SHILLONG, February 25: Faced with the daunting task of cobbling together a workable majority, the United Democratic Party (UDP) is falling back on the experience and uncanny ability of former chief minister and leader of Opposition B B Lyngdoh to somehow garner support from smaller political parties to enable it to stake a claim to form a government.With just 20 seats under its belt and an assured support of three BJP legislators, the UDP is falling short by eight members for a simple majority. Its arch rival, the Congress, is in a much better position having won 25 seats besides the support of three Independent legislators who were members in the outgoing Congress-led coalition government of Chief Minister S C Marak. Both these political parties are inevitably wooing the HSPDP, PDM with three seats each and Garo National Council president and legislator Clifford R Marak to their respective sides. While both parties had got in touch with them for support, the legislators from these smaller politicalparties have neither rejected nor accepted the offers. However, most seem more keen to join a Congress-led coalition than a UDP one. Perhaps realising this, the UDP has fallen back on its veteran leader B B Lyngdoh to try and enlist their support. Lyngdoh is known for political manipulation and effecting a split in political parties, which has in the past enabled him to run a coalition government.
Lyngdoh probably feels vindicated by this turn of events. After forming a united regional party -- the UDP -- last year, leaders of the three regional parties -- HPU, HSPDP and PDIC -- sidelined him, not offering him any post in the new umbrella party. HSPDP supremo E K Mawlong was made president of the UDP despite the fact that one faction of his party refused to merge to form the UDP. Since then Lyngdoh was biding his time, waiting to strike.
Now he has managed to wrest an understanding that if he manages to cobble a majority, he will be Chief Minister in the regional party coalition government. UDP presidentE K Mawlong -- who was naturally hoping to occupy the CM's chair if the party got a majority -- had to relent.
Aware of his striking ability, the Congress too is trying to speed up its process of staking a claim to form the government. The party will either stake a claim to form the government late on Wednesday night after its CLP meeting to elect its leader or positively on Thursday.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
