Metbah Lyngdoh Resigns as UDP Legislators Defect to BJP and NPP

UDP President Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from the Meghalaya state cabinet on October 31 after a wave of defections left him as the sole legislator for the United Democratic Party in the state assembly. Lyngdoh, who managed the power, textiles, water resources, and taxation departments, submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, stating the decision was voluntary and not made under pressure.

Of the 12 UDP legislators, eight merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party in September, and three joined the National People's Party in early November. These shifts increased the BJP's strength in the 60-member assembly from two to 10 seats and the NPP's tally to 36. Defecting legislators cited regional concerns, including coal mining and the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Constitution's Eighth Schedule, as primary motivations for their move.

Following the political shift, Governor C. H. Vijayashankar swore in Paul Lyngdoh as a cabinet minister for tourism on November 2. Paul Lyngdoh, one of the defectors to the NPP, cited a lack of mutual respect within the UDP as a reason for his departure. The UDP's Central Executive Committee is scheduled to meet on November 3 to determine the party's future and whether it will continue to support the MDA government.