The eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally submitted their merger letter to Commissioner and Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Andrew Simon on Friday, marking the completion of the formal process of their move to the BJP.
The legislators were accompanied by BJP State President Rikman G. Momin and BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai at the time of submission of the letter.
Speaking to the media after receiving the documents, Dr. Simons confirmed that all eight legislators had submitted their papers and that the letter was addressed to the Speaker, informing the Assembly of their merger with the BJP.
He clarified that the legislators have claimed their move as a merger with the BJP, and that the documents submitted by them would be processed and examined in accordance with the applicable rules and constitutional provisions.
“The papers have been submitted by all of them. The letter is addressed to the Hon’ble Speaker, informing about the merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party. They have submitted the required documents, and it will be processed accordingly. The matter will be examined by the Hon’ble Speaker, following which an appropriate order will be passed,” Dr. Simons said.
Later, the eight new entrants were welcomed by Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G Momin, Cabinet Minister Sanbor Shullai and other BJP leaders at the party office. Fireworks were also organised as part of the celebrations.
Speaking to mediapersons, Cabinet Minister and BJP MLA Lahkmen Rymbui, while responding to questions on the demands raised by the legislators, said there had been a “positive response from the centre on the demands.”
He said the “Credit goes to the aspiration of the people of Meghalaya.”
Asked about the absence of Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem from the BJP Press Briefing, Rymbui said he was in Shillong. He also said the legislators “have not betrayed the people.”
A formal felicitation programme for the eight new BJP legislators is scheduled to be held on October 5.
