Meghalaya: 8 UDP MLAs Join BJP, Political Equation Changes in Assembly

New Delhi/Shillong, September 23, 2026: A major political development took place in Meghalaya on Wednesday. Eight sitting legislators of the United Democratic Party (UDP) joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The legislators formally joined the party at an event held at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, along with other senior party leaders, were present at the event.

Which MLAs Joined the BJP?

The eight MLAs who joined the BJP are Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Balajied Kupar Synrem, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Olan Singh Suin and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah.

Assembly Numbers Change

Following the switch of these eight MLAs, the BJP's strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly has increased from 2 to 10. The UDP's strength, meanwhile, has declined from 12 to 4. With this change, the BJP has become the second-largest party in the Assembly after the National People's Party (NPP), which has 33 MLAs.

What Issues Were Discussed?

The possibility of these MLAs joining the BJP had been discussed over the past few days. Before this, UDP leaders had raised several issues related to Meghalaya with the Centre. These included the demand to include the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, changes in restrictions related to coal mining, and effective implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA). Some reports also mentioned the rehabilitation of the Harijan Colony at Them Iew Mawlong as one of the issues discussed.

What Did the BJP Say?

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed all eight MLAs into the BJP. He said that the legislators decided to join the BJP after being influenced by the development work carried out in the Northeast and Meghalaya in recent years, as well as the policies of the central government. This is Rijiju's political assessment; separate public statements have also emerged regarding the individual reasons behind the legislators' decision.

Important Political Change Ahead of 2028 Assembly Elections

The next Assembly election in Meghalaya is scheduled for 2028. Against this backdrop, the entry of eight MLAs into the BJP has changed the state's existing political structure. The BJP now has 10 MLAs and is the second-largest party in the Assembly after the NPP. However, what impact this development will have on the upcoming electoral politics will depend on future political developments.