NPP Welcomes Three UDP Legislators Amid Political Shifts in Meghalaya

Shillong, October 19 (Daily Kiran) : In Shillong, it is anticipated that three of the four remaining legislators from the United Democratic Party (UDP) will join the National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday. This move could increase the NPP’s representation in the 60-member assembly from 33 to 36. UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh confirmed the development.

This shift follows the recent recognition by the Meghalaya Assembly Speaker of the merger of eight UDP legislators into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), formalized on October 16. As a result, the UDP’s count dropped from 12 to just four, while the BJP’s numbers surged from two to ten.

The eight legislators who switched to the BJP include Lakhmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kirmen Shila, Meiralborn Siem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Olan Singh Suin, Balajid Kupar Sinrem, and Sinshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah. They formally notified the assembly secretariat of their merger after joining the BJP at its headquarters in New Delhi on September 23.

The Speaker recognized the merger under Article 4 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The UDP had previously initiated disciplinary actions against some of its members who defected to the BJP.

If the remaining three UDP legislators also join the NPP, the UDP will be left with only one member in the assembly. The NPP, BJP, and UDP are all part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.

These developments are expected to affect the balance of political representation within the ruling coalition as the next assembly elections approach in early 2028. The UDP has historically been a significant regional political force in Meghalaya, where regional parties play a crucial role in coalition governments.

As alliances within the MDA continue to evolve, the BJP is increasing its presence in the assembly, while the NPP strengthens its position.