Meghalaya Politics: BJP Strength Rises to 10 as Speaker Recognises Merger of Eight UDP MLAs

Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma has recognised the merger of eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), increasing the BJP’s strength in the 60-member Assembly from two to 10 and reducing the UDP’s tally from 12 to four.

The Assembly Secretariat notified the decision on October 16 under Paragraph 4 of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule. The Speaker also rejected the UDP’s petition seeking the disqualification of the eight legislators.

The MLAs are Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.

The eight legislators joined the BJP in New Delhi on September 23 and submitted a letter informing the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly of their merger two days later. The Speaker had said on October 13 that the matter remained under consideration while he sought legal opinions.

Both the BJP and UDP are constituents of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s National People’s Party (NPP).

A further change in the Assembly’s composition was expected on Monday. UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh said three of the party’s four remaining MLAs were likely to join the NPP. If the move proceeds, the NPP’s strength would rise from 33 to 36, leaving UDP president and minister Metbah Lyngdoh as the party’s sole legislator.

The next Meghalaya Assembly election is due in early 2028.