Eight UDP MLAs set to join BJP in Meghalaya after talks with Amit Shah

Eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators are set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Meghalaya after receiving assurances from the party’s central leadership on four long-pending issues concerning the state, UDP MLA Kyrmen Shylla has said. Shylla, a two-time legislator from Khliehriat, said the group had held discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other BJP leaders before deciding on the proposed switch. The number of legislators joining the BJP could eventually rise to nine, he added.

Four demands raised

Shylla said the legislators had sought concrete commitments before agreeing to join the BJP, with their demands centred on resolving issues surrounding coal mining, 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 residents from the Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong. According to him, the BJP leadership assured the group that steps would be taken on the four issues before the 2028 Meghalaya Assembly elections. He said committees would be constituted and the necessary process initiated after the legislators joined the party.

The Khliehriat MLA said Shah had initially wanted the joining process completed within four to five days, but the legislators sought firm assurances on their demands before proceeding. Shylla maintained that the decision was linked to issues concerning Meghalaya and his constituency rather than personal political considerations. He also said the legislators would reconsider their position if commitments made to them were not honoured.

BJP strength could rise

The UDP currently has 12 MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly and is the second-largest constituent of the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government. The BJP has two legislators. If eight UDP MLAs formally cross over, the BJP’s strength would increase to 10, substantially expanding its presence in the Assembly ahead of the 2028 state election.

Senior BJP leader and MLA A L Hek has also said the proposed entry of the UDP legislators is certain, citing his discussions with Shah. Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G Momin, however, had earlier said the state unit had not received formal communication from the central leadership on the proposed induction.

UDP chief differs

Shylla denied that his decision stemmed from differences with UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh or the party leadership, saying he remained grateful to the organisation that had supported his political career. He also rejected suggestions of a rift with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma or other members of the ruling coalition.

Lyngdoh, meanwhile, has pushed back against reports of an imminent exodus, describing accounts surrounding the proposed move as a “half-truth” and speculation. The eight legislators are yet to formally join the BJP, with Shylla saying they are awaiting the central leadership’s decision on the date of their induction.