Shillong, Sept 16: Two-time Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla on Wednesday said eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after receiving assurances from the party’s central leadership that four long-pending demands concerning Meghalaya would be addressed before the 2028 Assembly elections.
Addressing a public meeting at Byndihati in East Jaintia Hills, Shylla said the decision followed several meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP leaders over the demands. Local reports from the meeting also quoted Shylla as saying the BJP leadership had assured action on the coal issue before the next Assembly election.
Shylla said the discussions had been kept confidential because the negotiations were difficult and uncertain, adding that even his father was informed about the decision only on the day of the public meeting.
According to him, the group informed the BJP leadership that eight UDP MLAs were confirmed to join the party, with the number possibly increasing to nine. If eight legislators switch sides, the BJP’s strength in the Meghalaya Assembly would rise from two to 10.
Shylla said Shah had initially wanted the process completed within four to five days, but the legislators insisted on concrete guarantees before taking a final decision.
He said he had made it clear to the BJP leadership that the legislators could walk out if the commitments made to them were not honoured.
“If you, the BJP, betray us on what you have promised us, we can leave the very next day — that is why it also took time for them to study this case,” Shylla said.
He said the BJP had now assured the group that committees would be formed and paperwork initiated from the day they joined the party to take up the demands one by one.
Shylla identified the four core issues as resolving the coal mining issue, pushing for inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), and relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong before the 2028 Assembly elections.
Earlier, Mawsynram MLA Olan Sing Suin had publicly confirmed that eight UDP legislators were in talks with the BJP and had linked any switch to the Centre addressing a set of demands, including Khasi language recognition, coal mining, MRSSA and relocation of the Harijan Colony.
“These are the issues that they have given us clear-cut assurance that they will fulfil before the 2028 Assembly elections. This is the reason that gives me confidence to join the BJP. It is not that I just want to join to get a photo with Amit Shah,” Shylla said.
He said the decision was being taken with a sense of responsibility for the “survival” of the people of Khliehriat.
Clarifying that his decision was not driven by anger against the UDP, Shylla said he had no ill-feeling towards party president Metbah Lyngdoh or the party that had supported him during his political career.
“There is no opposition or hard feeling against the party that gave me power and support. Dear friends who still have spirit for the UDP, do not think that I am speaking ill of the party when I take this decision,” he said.
Shylla also denied any rift with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma or other members of the ruling coalition.
“Do not think that there is any misunderstanding between me and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma or with ministers or MLAs. We work together as one family,” he said.
Reiterating that the move was aimed at securing key issues concerning his constituency and the state, Shylla said the group would have a little over a year to pursue the commitments with the Centre.
“This is with responsibility for the survival of the people. I am taking this decision. We have just over a year where we eight MLAs will start our journey to complete this work with the blessing of the central government,” he said.
