UDP down to one: three more MLAs seek to merge with Meghalaya's ruling NPP

Shillong: Three of the four remaining United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs in Meghalaya have submitted a merger application to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma, seeking to join the ruling National People's Party (NPP).
The three MLAs are Paul Lyngdoh (West Shillong), Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (Mawkyrwat) and Nujorki Sungoh (Mookaiaw). The Speaker said he would seek a legal opinion and communicate his decision within a few days. Two of the legislators appeared before him on Monday, while Nujorki was away for medical treatment.
UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh has expelled all three from the party's primary membership with immediate effect. With the three moving to the NPP, the UDP would be left with only its president as its sole MLA.
The development follows the Speaker's recognition, on October 16, of the merger of eight UDP MLAs with the BJP, which raised the BJP's strength from two to 10. NPP Meghalaya president and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said there was no assurance of ministerial berths for the three MLAs. Their formal induction is expected on October 23.
The Speaker said this was the fifth merger application received during his tenure and cautioned against treating the proposed merger as a mere formality, even though he had earlier recognised the merger of eight MLAs. Congress leader Manuel Badwar has claimed that the BJP gave no written or verbal assurance to meet the demands of the eight defectors.
The next Meghalaya Assembly election is due in early 2028. Both the BJP and the UDP are constituents of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, of which the NPP, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, is the largest party.