Shillong, Sept 23: After weeks of speculations and suspense, eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi on Wednesday, taking the latter’s strength up from two to 10 in the Assembly.
The defecting MLAs will not attract Anti-Defection Act as their strength is the required two-third of the UDP’s original 12 MLAs in the 60-member House.
Merger of the regional party’s MLAs with the BJP was formalised in the presence of senior BJP leader and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and state BJP president Rikman G Momin.
The MLAs going to represent the BJP from now on are – cabinet ministers Lahkmen Rymbui (Amlarem) and Kyrmen Shylla (Khliehriat), Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah (Mawphlang), Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah (Sohiong), Balajied Kupar Synrem (Shella), Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh), Pius Marwein (Ranikor) and Olan Sing Suin (Mawsynram).
Speaking on behalf of the group, Rymbui said talks had been on for some time and the central leadership had responded positively to their core issues.
“Today is a very important day for all of us… As you see there are young MLAs and they have aspirations to contribute to the society,” Rymbui said.
Rymbui listed the group’s key demands as inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule, amendment to MRSSA to check influx, simplification of coal mining norms, and relocation of Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong.
Claiming “positive response” from the BJP central leadership on the key demands, he said, “That is why we are here today to join the party.”
He said these issues would be successfully resolved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
“We appeal to the people to give us support,” he added.
The new BJP leaders said their move will strengthen the NDA in Meghalaya and that the Centre will take up the state’s pending issues.
UDP reduced to 4
With the eight legislators joining the BJP, the UDP’s strength in the Assembly has come down to only four.
The four remaining MLAs are – UDP president and Cabinet Minister Metbah Lyngdoh, Paul Lyngdoh (West Shillong), Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (Mawkyrwat) and Nujorki Sungoh (Mookaiaw).
The development has also cast a shadow over the UDP’s future in the state cabinet.
