SHILLONG, Aug 31: UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday dismissed reports that nine party MLAs are set to join the BJP as “speculation”.

“Speculations will remain speculation. I will tell you only what is happening,” he said.

Lyngdoh said reports of MLAs rushing to Delhi, Guwahati and Kolkata in the past two days are incorrect. 

“I was in Shillong the whole week. I went to Delhi only last Monday for an official programme,” he said.

He said the earlier Delhi visit was to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the FCRA amendment. 

“That meeting was interpreted differently. I have met all MLAs directly, not through third persons, and none said anything about joining BJP,” he added.

He clarified that four MLAs – Pius Marwein, Balajied Synrem, Kyrmen Shylla and Shynshar Lyngdoh – went to Kolkata on Saturday for personal work.

“B Kurbah, Olan Sing Suin and Lahkmen Rymbui are very much in Shillong. Reports of them going to Guwahati to meet BJP leaders are wrong,” he said.Lyngdoh urged media to verify reports and said rumours should not be believed.

On leadership issues, he said, “I met all MLAs, none expressed dissatisfaction. As of now, there is no problem in UDP.”

On the cabinet reshuffle, he said decisions to drop Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla were taken within the party with knowledge of all.