Shillong, Oct 13: Eight Meghalaya legislators who switched from the United Democratic Party (UDP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday met Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma to physically reaffirm their decision to join the BJP. The legislators, led by Lahkmen Rymbui, met the Speaker to reiterate their earlier communication regarding their decision to leave the UDP and join the BJP.
They had previously approached the Speaker on the matter, but he was reportedly out of the station at the time. Speaking after the meeting, Rymbui said all eight legislators had appeared in person to reaffirm their decision. “The purpose of the meeting today is that, as you know, when we came that day, our Speaker was out of the station. So we have come today physically, all eight of us, reiterating what we communicated on that day,” Rymbui said.
BJP legislator Sanbor Shullai also accompanied the eight MLAs during their meeting with the Speaker. The eight legislators had formally joined the BJP on September 23 in New Delhi, marking a significant political realignment in Meghalaya, where regional parties have traditionally played a major role in the state’s political landscape.
Their shift from the UDP, one of Meghalaya’s prominent regional political parties, to the BJP is expected to have implications for the state’s political equations ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. The development comes as political parties in Meghalaya prepare for the next electoral battle, with changes in party affiliations likely to influence organisational strategies and efforts to consolidate support across the state.
The BJP, which has been seeking to expand its political footprint in the northeastern region, could benefit from the induction of the eight legislators as it looks to strengthen its presence in Meghalaya. The UDP, meanwhile, faces the challenge of adjusting to the loss of eight of its legislators to a national party.
The Speaker’s meeting with the legislators marks a further step in the formal process surrounding their decision to switch parties. The political implications of the move are likely to remain a subject of discussion as Meghalaya’s parties begin positioning themselves for the 2028 Assembly elections.
IANS