The speculative merger of eight United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs with the BJP is unlikely to take place in September, with sources close to the legislators indicating that the proposed political realignment may instead materialise in October. According to the sources, the legislators are awaiting a formal invitation from the BJP, while negotiations over their reported demands and the modalities of the proposed induction continue.
Sources said the legislators have placed five key demands in connection with the proposed political realignment — issues relating to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, resumption of coal mining in Meghalaya and resolution of the Them Metor issue. Sources also stated that the BJP has agreed to most of the demands raised by the UDP legislators.
Meanwhile, the UDP disciplinary committee is yet to take a decision on the matter, while Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s proposed visit to Meghalaya has also reportedly been postponed. Shah is likely to visit Shillong in the first week of October. His visit had been viewed in political circles as potentially significant amid the reported joining.
