After eight MLAs went to BJP, Meghalaya regional party set to lose three more

Less than a month after eight of its 12 MLAs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Meghalaya’s regional United Democratic Party (UDP) is set to lose three more.

On Monday (October 19, 2026), the UDP expelled three MLAs — Paul Lyngdoh of the West Shillong seat, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar of Mawkyrwat and Nujorki Sungoh of Mookaiaw — after they submitted an application to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, seeking to merge with the National People’s Party (NPP).

The NPP, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, heads the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government. With 10 MLAs after eight crossed over from the UDP, the BJP is the second-largest constituent of the coalition government.

The Speaker said the three UDP legislators handed over the application along with the resolutions they adopted. “I shall seek a legal opinion and communicate my decision within the next few days,” he said.

Although he recognised the merger of the eight MLAs with the BJP, he cautioned against treating the proposed merger of the three MLAs with the NPP as a mere formality.

The Speaker said this was the fifth merger application received during his tenure.

The three MLAs are expected to join the NPP later this week. Their formal recognition will increase the party’s strength in the 60-member House to 36.

UDP president and Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh, who will be the party’s lone MLA in a few days, said the UDP decided at an emergency meeting to expel the three MLAs.

“…with powers vested in me as president of the UDP, I hereby expel the three of you from the primary membership of the party, with effect from today [October 19],” he said in a letter addressed to the trio.