Shillong: Meghalaya's regional United Democratic Party (UDP) is set to lose three more MLAs, who have applied to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma to merge with the ruling National People's Party (NPP).
They are Paul Lyngdoh of West Shillong, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar of Mawkyrwat and Nujorki Sungoh of Mookaiaw. The three handed over the application along with the resolutions they adopted. "I shall seek a legal opinion and communicate my decision within the next few days," the Speaker said.
Less than a month ago, eight of the UDP's 12 MLAs joined the BJP, which is now the second-largest constituent of the coalition government. If the three are recognised in the NPP, the party's strength in the 60-member House will rise to 36. The NPP, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, heads the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government.
The Speaker said on Monday that the three had been expelled by the UDP. Party president and Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh took that decision at an emergency meeting and will be the party's lone MLA in a few days. "With powers vested in me as president of the UDP, I hereby expel the three of you from the primary membership of the party, with effect from today," he wrote in a letter to them.
While the Speaker recognised the merger of the eight MLAs with the BJP, he cautioned against treating the three MLAs' move to the NPP as a mere formality. He said this was the fifth merger application received during his tenure.
The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance includes the NPP, the BJP and other constituents. After eight MLAs joined the BJP, its strength grew and it became the second-largest constituent of the ruling coalition. With the House arithmetic changing, seat-sharing and ministerial berths within the alliance could also come up for discussion. The Speaker said every merger application is examined under the legal provisions.
The three MLAs are expected to join the NPP later this week.