Political arithmetic shifted in Meghalaya today as eight UDP MLAs formally entered the BJP in New Delhi, with the lawmakers pointing to discussions on key state-specific demands and the BJP leadership’s response to those concerns as factors behind their decision.
Key Takeaways
- Eight sitting UDP MLAs joined the BJP in New Delhi, taking the party’s Meghalaya Assembly strength from two to 10.
- The UDP’s strength has fallen from 12 MLAs to four, while the BJP has become the second-largest party in the House after the NPP.
- The legislators cited Meghalaya-specific issues, including Khasi language recognition, coal mining and the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, in discussions with BJP leaders.
Eight sitting legislators of Meghalaya’s United Democratic Party (UDP) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi today on September 23, sharply changing the numerical balance in the 60-member state Assembly. The move takes the BJP’s strength from two to 10 and reduces the UDP’s tally to four.
Eight UDP MLAs who Join BJP
The legislators completed their formal induction at the BJP headquarters in the national capital. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, BJP national spokesperson and Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra, and other senior party leaders attended the joining programme.
Delighted to welcome & congratulate eight MLAs from Meghalaya who joined the @BJP4India at BJP Headquarters, New Delhi.
Warmly welcomed Shri Lahkmen Rymbui ji, Shri Pius Marwein ji, Shri Kyrmen Shylla ji, Shri Mayralborn Syiem ji, Shri Matthew Kurbah ji, Shri Ollan Singh Suin… https://t.co/sIZWCtDNod pic.twitter.com/MCbwHOWS53
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 23, 2026
The eight legislators are Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Balajied Kupar Synrem, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Ollan Sing Suin and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah.
The switch follows discussions between the legislators and BJP leadership over several issues concerning Meghalaya. Lahkmen Rymbui said the talks had continued for some time and that the decision did not come suddenly.
BJP Becomes Second-Largest Party
The change has significantly altered the party-wise strength in the Meghalaya Assembly.
Before the switch, the BJP had two MLAs while the UDP had 12. The entry of eight UDP legislators takes the BJP’s tally to 10 and leaves the UDP with four MLAs. The National People’s Party (NPP), with 33 legislators, remains the largest party in the House.
The BJP’s increased strength also comes ahead of the next Meghalaya Assembly election, scheduled for 2028.
Meghalaya-Specific Issues Behind the Move
The legislators had raised several issues with the BJP leadership before joining the party.
These included the demand to include the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. They also discussed coal mining-related concerns and changes connected with the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act.
The proposed relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong also figured among the issues raised by the legislators. (India Today NE)
Rymbui said the group wanted greater support from the Centre on matters that they considered important to Meghalaya. He also said BJP leaders had responded positively to the concerns raised during the discussions.
The issues give the defection a policy-focused dimension beyond the immediate change in Assembly numbers.
Rijiju Links Move to Northeast Development
Welcoming the eight MLAs, Rijiju attributed their decision to the development initiatives undertaken by the Narendra Modi government in the Northeast.
He said the Centre’s increased focus on the region had changed its political and developmental landscape. He contrasted this approach with that of previous Congress-led governments.
Rijiju also highlighted Modi’s continued engagement with the Northeast. He said the Prime Minister had visited the region more than 80 times for development programmes and outreach, excluding election-related visits.
The Union Minister said the induction of the eight legislators would strengthen Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s government and improve coordination between the BJP and its NDA partners in Meghalaya.
Political Equations Undergo a Shift
The entry of the eight MLAs gives the BJP a larger presence in the Meghalaya Assembly and reduces the UDP’s representation to four.
The immediate numerical change is clear. The BJP has moved from two legislators to 10, while the UDP has dropped from 12 to four. The BJP now holds the second-largest party position in the Assembly, behind the NPP’s 33 MLAs. (IANS News)
The development also places greater focus on the BJP’s role within Meghalaya’s ruling alliance.
How the new alignment affects policy priorities, party coordination and the wider political landscape will become clearer as the state moves towards the 2028 Assembly election.
For now, the formal induction of eight sitting UDP MLAs marks a significant change in Meghalaya Assembly arithmetic and expands the BJP’s legislative presence in the state.
