The three United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs — Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nijorki Sungoh — who have submitted a merger letter to Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma are likely to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) in the first week of November. However, Nijorki Sungoh, who was in Kolkata for medical treatment, is now proceeding to Vellore for further treatment, meaning the proposed joining, initially scheduled for October 23, will take place only after Sungoh returns. Meanwhile, the Speaker is yet to recognize the merger, leaving the proposed political realignment subject to procedural scrutiny.
The trio was initially expected to join the NPP this week. An NPP leader indicated that the joining could have taken place as early as October 23 had Sungoh been in Shillong. However, with the legislator now proceeding to Vellore from Kolkata for further treatment, the party is awaiting his return before finalizing the date.
“Had Nijorki been in Shillong, the joining would have been tomorrow only but now he is going to Vellore from Kolkata for further treatment, once he returns back then the joining will take place. Let’s say by November 1st week but we will know once he start getting treatment in Vellore,” said one of the NPP leaders.
The proposed realignment could significantly alter the arithmetic in Meghalaya’s 60-member Assembly. If the merger is recognized, the NPP’s strength would increase from 33 to 36 MLAs, potentially leaving UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh as the regional party’s lone legislator in the House.
Two of the legislators appeared before Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Monday, accompanied by NPP leaders, including state president Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar and Wailadmiki Shylla, among others. Sungoh was absent as he was in Kolkata for a medical check-up, and the letter concerning him was submitted in his absence.
The Speaker is yet to recognize the merger. He is examining the letter and has said he would seek a legal opinion before proceeding further. He has also highlighted the requirement for physical verification of each legislator, noting that two MLAs had appeared before him while Sungoh had not.
The Speaker is currently in Tura. With the Durga Puja holidays over, Thursday marks the first working day after the break, but the proposed merger remains pending formal recognition.
For the NPP, the potential addition of three MLAs could increase its strength from 33 to 36, consolidating its position in the Assembly if the merger is recognized. For the UDP, the loss of the trio could leave the party with only Metbah Lyngdoh in the House, following the earlier exit of eight UDP legislators who merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
