Daijiworld Media Network - Shillong

Shillong, Oct 13: Eight Meghalaya legislators who switched from the United Democratic Party (UDP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday met Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma to physically reaffirm their decision to join the saffron party.

The legislators, led by Lahkmen Rymbui, met the Speaker to reiterate their earlier communication regarding their decision to leave the UDP and join the BJP.

They had approached the Speaker earlier to convey their decision, but he was reportedly out of station at the time.

Speaking after the meeting, Rymbui said all eight legislators had appeared in person to reaffirm their decision.

“The purpose of the meeting today is that, as you know, when we came that day, our Speaker was out of the station. So we have come today physically, all eight of us, reiterating what we communicated on that day,” Rymbui said.

BJP legislator Sanbor Shullai also accompanied the eight MLAs during their meeting with the Speaker.

The eight legislators had formally joined the BJP in New Delhi on September 23, marking a significant political realignment in Meghalaya, where regional parties have traditionally played a major role in the state's political landscape.

Their move from the UDP, one of the state's prominent regional parties, to the BJP is expected to affect political equations ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.

The development comes as political parties in Meghalaya prepare for the next electoral contest, with changes in party affiliations likely to influence organisational strategies and efforts to consolidate support across the state.

The BJP, which has been seeking to expand its political presence in the Northeast, could benefit from the induction of the eight legislators as it seeks to strengthen its position in Meghalaya.

The UDP, meanwhile, faces the challenge of dealing with the loss of eight of its legislators to a national party. The meeting with the Speaker marks a further step in the formal process concerning their decision to switch parties.

The political implications of the move are likely to remain a topic of discussion as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2028 Assembly elections.