Shillong, October 17: Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma has officially recognised the merger of eight legislators of the United Democratic Party (UDP) with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), increasing the BJP’s strength in the 60-member State Assembly to 10.
The recognition was formally notified through a bulletin issued by the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Secretariat on October 16, under Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution of India.
According to the notification, the eight UDP legislators whose merger with the BJP has been recognised are Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.
The Assembly Secretariat stated that the Speaker had recognised the merger of the eight members of the UDP Legislature Party with the BJP in accordance with the constitutional provisions governing mergers of political parties. “It is hereby notified for general information that Shri Thomas A. Sangma, Hon’ble Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has recognized the merger of 8 (eight) Members of the United Democratic Party Legislature Party,” the notification stated.
Following the recognition, the strength of the UDP Legislature Party in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has been reduced to four members, while that of the BJP Legislature Party has increased to 10. “Consequent upon the above, the strength of the United Democratic Party Legislature Party in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly stands at 4 (four) and that of the Bharatiya Janata Party Legislature Party at 10 (ten),” the notification said.
The merger has significantly altered the numerical strength of the two parties in the State Assembly, with the BJP emerging with a larger legislative presence at the expense of the UDP.
The formal recognition by the Speaker was communicated through Bulletin Part I, issued by the Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on October 16, 2026.
