Mawthoh joins BJP; eight UDP MLAs may follow in Meghalaya

Former Meghalaya MLA and United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Jemino Mawthoh joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday, fueling speculation that at least eight of the regional party’s 12 MLAs may also switch, a move that may make the BJP the second-largest party in the Meghalaya Assembly.

Mr Mawthoh, who left the UDP in May, joined the BJP in Shillong on Saturday. His move came amid growing indications of a possible larger shift of UDP leaders to the BJP.

Speculations intensified after six UDP MLAs skipped the party’s Central Executive Committee meeting in Shillong on Friday (September 11, 20260) while three others admitted that they are in talks with the BJP.

However, the UDP leadership, including party chairman Metbah Lyngdoh, maintained that the party’s lawmakers remained united.

Both the UDP and the BJP are components of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government led by the National People’s Party (NPP). The NPP has 33 MLAs, two more than a simple majority in the 60-member assembly, while the UDP has 12 and the BJP two.

A possible merger of eight UDP legislators – under the anti-graft law – would increase the BJP’s number of seats to 10, making it the second largest party in the House.

Meghalaya-based publications, citing unnamed party leaders, said three UDP legislators told the Central Executive Committee that their next move would depend on whether the BJP accepts their demand. These MLAs are Cabinet Minister Lakhmen Rymbui, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Ollan Sing Suin.

However, the three MLAs said they have no differences with the UDP leadership and their decision to switch parties would be in the best interest of their constituencies and the state.

Senior Meghalaya BJP leader and MLA Alexander Laloo Hek declined to say how many UDP legislators would switch and when. “With two seats, the BJP has one berth in the cabinet. The party should demand more berths after any increase in numbers,” he said.

Published – 12 Sep 2026 17:34 IST