After winning eight MLAs to the BJP, the Meghalaya regional party will lose three more

Combined image of Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh. Photo courtesy of Twitter

Less than a month after eight of its 12 MLAs joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Meghalaya’s regional United Democratic Party (UDP) is set to lose three more.

On Monday (October 19, 2026), the UDP expelled three MLAs – Paul Lyngdoh from West Shillong seat, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar from Mawkyrwat and Nujorki Sungoh from Mookaiaw – after they submitted a request to merge with the National People’s Party (NPP) to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma.

The NPP led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma heads the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government. With 10 MLAs after eight crossed over from the UDP, the BJP is the second largest component of the coalition government.

The Speaker said the three UDP legislators had forwarded the request along with the resolutions they passed. “I will seek a legal opinion and communicate my decision in the next few days,” he said.

While acknowledging the merger of eight MLAs with BJP, he cautioned against treating the proposed merger of three MLAs with JE as a mere formality.

The spokesman said this was the fifth merger request received during his tenure.

The three MLAs are expected to join JE later this week. Their formal recognition will increase the party’s strength in the 60-member House to 36.

UDP President and Energy Minister Metbah Lyngdoh, who will be the party’s sole MLA in a few days, said the UDP decided to expel the three MLAs in an emergency meeting.

“…with the powers I have as President of the UDP, I hereby expel the three of you from the primary membership of the party with effect from today (October 19),” he said in a letter addressed to the trio.

Published – 20 October 2026 14:15 IST