Shillong: Three of the four remaining legislators of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Meghalaya are likely to join the ruling National People's Party (NPP), in a development that would further change the arithmetic of the state's ruling alliance.
The move, reported from Shillong, comes as Meghalaya's regional parties continue to realign around the NPP-led government.
The UDP has been among the state's older regional parties and a partner in past governments. A shift of its legislators to the NPP would leave the party with a much smaller presence in the Assembly.
In Meghalaya, where regional parties and independents have often decided who governs, such defections and mergers carry weight beyond their numbers, because they can affect the composition of the ruling coalition.
The state is among several in the North East where parties have been repositioning ahead of future elections. The NPP leads the government in Meghalaya.
There was no immediate official confirmation of the timing of any formal joining, and the legislators concerned have not publicly detailed their plans. Under the law, a legislator's decision to join another party can invite scrutiny under the anti-defection provisions, depending on the circumstances.
The development is being watched closely in Shillong, where the ruling coalition's stability and the strength of the opposition are both tied to the choices of a small number of legislators.
Meghalaya has seen frequent realignments among its regional parties, with legislators switching sides between elections. The NPP-led government in the state draws support from allies and independents.