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Eight UDP MLAs Join BJP, Making It the Second‑Largest Party in Meghalaya Assembly

The legislators say New Delhi has given positive responses to demands on Khasi and Garo language recognition, coal‑mining rules, MRSSA, local relocations and FCRA concerns, a shift that increases the BJP’s leverage inside the ruling alliance before the 2028 polls.

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Image credit- IANS

Overview

  • Eight United Democratic Party legislators formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, raising the BJP’s total in the 60‑member Assembly from two to ten.
  • The eight who switched are Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Balajied Kupar Synrem, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Ollan Sing Suin and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, while the UDP’s Assembly strength fell from 12 to four.
  • The defectors said the move followed sustained talks and that the Centre had “responded positively” to their specific demands on inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule, easing coal‑mining procedures, implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, relocation of the Harijan Colony and FCRA concerns.
  • The UDP has suspended at least three defectors and issued show‑cause notices, and two of the eight were sitting members of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, changing opposition arithmetic in that local body.
  • Although the NPP‑led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance retains a majority, analysts say the realignment strengthens the BJP’s organisational footprint and gives it new bargaining power over ministerial posts and policy priorities in the run‑up to the 2028 Assembly election.