Meghalaya UDP chief resigns from Cabinet after 11 of 12 MLAs defect, 8 of them to BJP

The United Democratic Party (UDP), once a key regional political force in Meghalaya, is facing a major crisis after 11 of its 12 legislators left the party, leaving its president, Metbah Lyngdoh, as its lone MLA in the state Assembly.

Lyngdoh resigned as a minister in the Conrad K Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government on Saturday (October 31), citing the changed political circumstances following the mass defections.

‘Party reduced to single legislator’

The UDP president submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, saying he could no longer continue in the Cabinet when his party had been reduced to a single legislator. His resignation took immediate effect.

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“Due to the current political scenario arising in the state, where 11 MLAs of UDP have left me as the lone MLA in the party, I have decided that I will not be able to continue as a Cabinet minister in the MDA government. Therefore, today I have submitted my resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. My resignation is effective immediately. This is the first decision of the party; other decisions will follow,” Lyngdoh said.

Mass defections

The political crisis follows the defection of eight UDP MLAs to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September and three others to the National People's Party (NPP) earlier in October.

The defections have dealt a major blow to the UDP, which won 12 seats in the 2023 Assembly elections and emerged as the single-largest regional party in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.

The exodus has also reshaped the political balance in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, increasing the NPP's strength to 36 seats and the BJP's tally to 10.

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Lyngdoh, a former Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly, held the portfolios of Power, Textiles, Water Resources and Taxation in the MDA government.

He maintained that his resignation was a voluntary decision taken in view of the changed political situation, dismissing speculation that he had been pressured to step down.

UDP to decide next steps

Lyngdoh's resignation could mark the beginning of a wider organisational response to the crisis. He said the party's Central Executive Committee would consult organisational leaders and office-bearers before deciding on its next course of action.

With 11 of its 12 legislators gone, the UDP now faces the challenge of rebuilding its political presence and organisational strength in the state.