Overview
- The eight United Democratic Party MLAs were formally inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday, increasing the party’s strength in the 60-seat Meghalaya Assembly from two to ten.
- Those who switched are Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Balajied Kupar Synrem, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Ollan Singh Suin and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, which reduces the UDP’s Assembly seats from 12 to four.
- The legislators said they took the decision after the Centre gave positive responses to specific demands, including recognition of Khasi and Garo in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, eased coal‑mining procedures and relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
- Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance commands an absolute majority and that the defections will not affect the government’s functioning or prompt immediate cabinet changes.
- The move also cuts UDP representation in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council and gives the BJP new local footholds, a shift that could affect policy delivery on language, mining and resettlement issues and reshape electoral calculations before 2028.