Shillong, October 19: The United Democratic Party (UDP) suffered another major political setback on Monday as three of its four remaining legislators submitted merger papers to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), taking the latter’s strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly to 36 and leaving the UDP with just one MLA.
The three legislators are Paul Lyngdoh from West Shillong, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar from Mawkyrwat and Nujorki Sungoh from Mookaiaw. Paul Lyngdoh and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar met Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma and submitted the merger documents on behalf of the three legislators. Sungoh was unable to attend the meeting as he was undergoing a medical check-up. They were accompanied by NPP state president Prestone Tynsong, national vice president Sniawbhalang Dhar and other senior party leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Tynsong said the NPP’s strength had increased to 36 following the decision of the three legislators, although formal recognition of the merger rests with the Assembly Speaker. “Our strength has increased to 36. We leave it to the wisdom of the Assembly Speaker. Unfortunately, Nujorki Sungoh could not come due to his medical check-up. In the days to come, he will also be part of this group. We are hopeful the Speaker will give us the best news,” Tynsong said. He added that the party would announce the formal induction programme after finalising the arrangements.
Dismissing speculation that the merger was linked to promises of cabinet positions, Tynsong maintained that the legislators had joined the NPP without any preconditions. “There is no question of cabinet berth. There is no precondition at all,” he asserted, adding that the decision was driven by the legislators’ belief that the NPP could address important issues concerning the state. Asked whether the UDP’s lone remaining legislator should continue to hold a cabinet portfolio, Tynsong declined to comment, saying the question should be directed to the UDP leadership.
Meanwhile, Paul Lyngdoh described the merger as an unconditional and collective decision aimed at providing better service to the people of Meghalaya. “It was unconditional and it was on the basis of our collective decision as a team of three who saw that the NPP provides the best possible platform for the kind of service that we would like to deliver to the state,” Lyngdoh said. He also dismissed suggestions that his departure from the UDP was motivated by personal differences with party president Metbah Lyngdoh, maintaining that he held no grudges against anyone.
On speculation about a possible cabinet reshuffle, Lyngdoh said the decision rested entirely with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and that no indication had been given regarding any changes. “Dropping or accommodating anybody in the cabinet is solely the prerogative of the Chief Minister. So it is not for me to even comment on that,” he stated. Referring to the exodus of legislators from the UDP, Lyngdoh remarked, “Not just me, 11 of us have left the UDP. It is a whole football team.”
For his part, Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar said his decision to join the NPP was influenced by the performance of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government during its first and second terms, as well as the wishes of his constituents. “The performance of this government — MDA I and II — has made me take this decision. Not me alone, but my people as well,” Tongkhar said. He claimed that a large number of people from Mawkyrwat had already joined the NPP and that his political decision reflected the collective aspirations of his supporters.
Explaining his shift from regional politics, Tongkhar recalled his earlier efforts to unite regional parties through the Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA), which ultimately failed to achieve its objectives. “We have tried and done the best we can to unite the regional parties. As you remember so well, during that time in the name of RDA we tried our best, but you have also seen we failed,” he said.
Tongkhar maintained that the NPP now offered the strongest political platform for leaders seeking to advance the interests of Meghalaya, describing it as a national party with leadership rooted in the state.
The latest development follows the recent merger of eight UDP legislators with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has already been recognised by the Assembly Speaker. With 11 legislators having left the UDP in two successive mergers, the regional party has been reduced to a single representative in the Assembly, marking a significant shift in Meghalaya’s political landscape.
The Speaker will now examine the documents submitted by the three legislators and issue a formal ruling on the merger.
