New Delhi/Shillong, Sep 23 (PTI) The BJP on Wednesday got a shot in the arm with eight MLAs of Meghalaya’s United Democratic Party (UDP) joining it in the presence of senior leaders, including Union minister Kiren Rijiju, at the party headquarters in New Delhi.
Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy joined the BJP.
The UDP has 12 MLAs in the 60-member assembly, two of whom are ministers in the Conrad K Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government. With eight of the UDP legislators switching sides, the BJP’s strength in the House increased from two to 10.
Meanwhile, the UDP suspended three of its eight MLAs who joined the BJP – Ollan Sing Suin, Kyrmen Shylla and Matthew Kurbah – as the regional party in Meghalaya began disciplinary action against legislators who crossed over to the saffron party.
UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh said the party had also issued show-cause notices to the three legislators.
The development is expected to give the BJP more influence over ministerial representation and policy priorities, as the state heads to the assembly election in 2028. Both the UDP and BJP are currently allies of the NPP-led government.
Welcoming the UDP MLAs to the party, Rijiju said they have joined the BJP looking at the progress of the northeast and Meghalaya under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“It is an extremely important political development, not only for the northeast but the entire country. It is a defining moment for Meghalaya,” the senior BJP leader said at a joint press conference at the BJP headquarters.
Amlarem MLA Lahkmen Rymbui said all eight MLAs, including him, have joined the BJP because its central leadership has given a “positive response” to their demands.
“This is not happening all of a sudden. The talks have been going on for quite some time. As you see, so many of our MLAs have aspirations to contribute to society and a few issues in the state (for) which we need the government’s support,” Rymbui said.
Inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act and simplification of the coal mining in Meghalaya are among other issues on which the central leadership have “responded positively”, he said.
In Shillong, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters that the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government would remain unaffected by the eight UDP legislators joining the BJP.
“It is a decision of individual MLAs. So, I have nothing to comment on this,” said Sangma, also the president of the National People’s Party (NPP).
He said that the strength of the ruling coalition remains the same because the change of party has happened within the coalition.
“We still have a very strong majority in the House, and we are confident that everything will remain as it is,” the CM asserted.
Asked whether the BJP had sought an increase in its share of ministerial berths, he replied, “No, they have not asked for anything.”
UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh added: “We gave them (the three MLAs) time until today to appear personally before the state parliamentary board or submit a written reply if they wished. However, none of these members responded to the show-cause notice.”
Metbah and Rymbui are currently members of the cabinet in the Conrad K Sangma-led government. PTI JOP PK NN MNB RBT
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