Eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi on Wednesday, marking a major political realignment in Meghalaya after months of discussions between the legislators and the BJP leadership.
The eight legislators are Lahkmen Rymbui (Amlarem), former minister Kyrmen Shylla (Khliehriat), Olan Singh Suin (Mawsynram), Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah (Mawphlang), Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh), Pius Marwein (Ranikor), Synshar Thabah (Sohïong) and Balajied Synrem (Shella).
The legislators formally joined the BJP in the presence of senior party leaders, with BJP national spokesperson and senior leader Sambit Patra addressing a press conference in New Delhi on the development. The party was also live-streaming the press conference from the national capital.
The development comes after weeks of political speculation and sustained talks over the legislators’ future and a range of issues concerning Meghalaya. The entry of the eight MLAs is set to reshape the State’s political arithmetic and could have wider implications for the ruling alliance and the run-up to the 2028 Assembly elections.
