Shillong, September 23: The BJP’s strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly jumped from two to 10 on Wednesday after eight United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators joined the saffron party in New Delhi, even as the UDP later announced the suspension of three of the defecting MLAs. The eight legislators formally joined the BJP in the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G. Momin.
Those who joined the BJP are cabinet ministers Lahkmen Rymbui from Amlarem and Kyrmen Shylla from Khliehriat, besides Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah from Mawphlang, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah from Sohiong, Balajied Kupar Synrem from Shella, Mayralborn Syiem from Nongpoh, Pius Marwein from Ranikor and Olan Sing Suin from Mawsynram.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Rymbui said discussions with the BJP leadership had been underway for some time and that the legislators had received a positive response on several issues concerning Meghalaya. “Today is a very important day for all of us. Talks have been going on for quite some time. As you see there are young MLAs and they have aspirations and to contribute to the society,” Rymbui said.
He said the issues raised with the BJP’s central leadership included the inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, amendment of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) to address concerns over influx, simplification of procedures relating to coal mining and the proposed relocation of residents from the Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong in Shillong. “All these issues, the central leadership have responded positively. They will do in course of time. That is why we are here today to join the party,” Rymbui said. “We got that positive response and that is why we have decided to join the BJP from today. We appeal to the people to give us support,” he added.
BJP leaders said the induction of the eight legislators would strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Meghalaya and assured that the issues raised by the legislators would be pursued with the Centre. Referring to the demands concerning Khasi language, MRSSA, coal mining and the relocation issue, a BJP leader said discussions were underway at the central level and expressed confidence that the matters could be addressed under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday said the decision of eight UDP legislators to join the BJP will have no impact on the functioning or stability of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government. He also clarified that the BJP, whose strength in the 60-member Assembly has now increased to 10, has not sought any additional cabinet berths.
Speaking to reporters after the eight UDP MLAs formally joined the BJP in New Delhi, Sangma said the development was a matter between the two political parties and the legislators concerned. “It is a decision between two political parties, it is the decision of the respective MLAs. It has nothing to do with the NPP as such. Therefore, it is really the desire and the decision of the MLAs, so I have no comment,” he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the overall strength of the ruling MDA coalition remains unchanged as the legislators have moved from one coalition partner to another. “The strength of the coalition remains the same because it is very much within the coalition, so it does not disturb the overall functioning of our government. Even if that was the case, we have a simple majority in the House and we are quite confident that everything will be as usual,” Sangma said.
He, however, acknowledged that the development could create concerns between the UDP and the BJP. “There will be some concerns between the two political parties because MLAs from one party have left and joined another. So, they will have to figure that out. Why they joined and what is the purpose, that is something I cannot comment on,” he added.
Asked whether the political shift could lead to a cabinet reshuffle, Sangma said there would be no change. “I have already made it very clear, this will not affect anything,” he said. On whether the BJP had sought more representation in the cabinet following the increase in its legislative strength, the Chief Minister replied, “No, they have not asked anything.”
Sangma also dismissed suggestions that the BJP’s growing strength in Meghalaya could pose a threat to his leadership in the future. “No, there is no threat as of now. Every political party has the desire to grow. In a democracy, every party will aspire — we aspire to grow in different states. We have been working in Manipur and other states. It is a natural process,” he said.
The NPP chief said his party would continue working to strengthen its organisation and increase its electoral strength while maintaining its own political identity. “We have to work towards ensuring that we keep our base strong and play our part to increase the number of seats that we have. I was always very clear that we always fight on our own terms, as our own identity and that will continue in the future,” Sangma added.
The political development, however, prompted an immediate response from the UDP, which convened a meeting of its State Parliamentary Board chaired by party president Metbah Lyngdoh later in the day. Following the meeting, Lyngdoh announced the suspension of three MLAs — Olan Sing Suin, Kyrmen Shylla and Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah — until further orders.
Lyngdoh said the three legislators had earlier been served show-cause notices after publicly announcing their intention to join another political party. “We had given them time till today to appear in person before the State Parliamentary Board or to send their reply in writing if they wished. But none of the three members have responded to the show cause notice,” he said.
“The party with one voice has taken the decision to place the three members who are elected members of the UDP under suspension until further orders. The three members are Mawsynram MLA Olan Sing Suin, Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla and Mawphlang MLA Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah,” Lyngdoh said. He said the suspension orders had been communicated to the three legislators in writing.
The UDP president added that the party would decide its future course of action and make further announcements accordingly. “This is the status as of now,” he said.
The switch takes the BJP’s strength in the Meghalaya Assembly to 10, marking a major change in the composition of parties within the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance coalition.
