PTI
Shillong
In a fresh turn in Meghalaya’s political realignment, the United Democratic Party (UDP) on Monday expelled three of its MLAs seeking to merge with the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
The development came after the three MLAs approached Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma earlier in the day seeking merger with the NPP. Sangma said he was examining their application and would seek legal opinion before giving his ruling.
President of UDP Metbah Lyngdoh expelled West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh, Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Mookaiaw legislator Nujorki Sungoh from the party’s primary membership with immediate effect.
“As evident from the local news today, it is clear that you all will be joining the National People’s Party; therefore, with powers vested in me as president of the United Democratic Party, I hereby expel the three of you from the primary membership of the party, with effect from today, the 19th October 2026,” the party said in an order.
Earlier in the day, Sangma said he had received a merger application from the three MLAs but had not yet responded, as he needed to seek an opinion on the matter. “Since they submitted the merger application to me personally, I received it. I have not given them a reply yet,” he said.
The Speaker cautioned against assuming that the application would be approved automatically because he had previously recognised the merger of eight UDP MLAs with the BJP. “I informed them that I will examine it and let them know in a few days,” he said.
On whether the numbers were sufficient to qualify for a merger under the anti-defection law, Sangma said the proposed move involved more than two-thirds of the party’s legislators but required further examination. “Mathematically, it is more than two-thirds; but it is not that simple. I have to seek legal opinion and give my ruling in due course,” he said.
Sangma said only Paul Lyngdoh and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar appeared before him on Monday, while Sungoh was away for medical treatment. He said he needed to verify that each legislator had agreed to the merger voluntarily, as had been done in the earlier case involving the eight MLAs.
On whether Sungoh’s consent could be verified online, the Speaker said he would seek legal advice on whether his physical presence was necessary.
“There are certain possibilities. Nowadays, lawyers can appear online even in the Supreme Court and High Court. I have to seek legal opinion on whether I can verify his consent for the merger online or whether his physical presence will be required,” he said.
The proposed switch comes after the Speaker recognised the merger of eight UDP MLAs with the BJP, significantly reducing the strength of the regional party in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly.
The UDP, which had 12 MLAs, is now facing the prospect of being reduced to a single legislator – its president Metbah Lyngdoh, who holds the Power portfolio in the state cabinet.
The NPP currently has 33 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly. If the merger of the three UDP legislators is recognised, its strength would rise to 36. The BJP has 10 MLAs following the merger recognised by the Speaker, while the UDP would be left with one MLA.
