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Politics
Meghalaya UDP reduced to four MLAs after speaker accepts eight defections to BJP
✍️ NDTV
🗓 17 Oct 2026, 07:32 PM
👁 19
The United Democratic Party's strength in the Meghalaya Assembly fell to four after the speaker officially recognized the party-switch of eight legislators to the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly witnessed a significant realignment on Wednesday when the speaker formally accepted the party-switch of eight members of the United Democratic Party (UDP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This procedural move reduced UDP's legislative strength to just four seats, altering the balance of power in the 60-member house.
The eight legislators, who had submitted letters of resignation from UDP and joined the BJP, were recognized after a verification process that confirmed their intent to switch parties. Their new affiliation bolsters the BJP's presence in the state, although the party still does not hold a majority on its own.
Political analysts note that the shift could influence upcoming policy debates and coalition dynamics, as the UDP, once a key regional player, now faces a diminished role. The speaker's decision is final unless challenged in a court of law, and the assembly is expected to convene later this week to address the implications of the change.
The development underscores the fluid nature of state politics in the Northeast, where party allegiance often shifts in response to evolving regional and national considerations.
The eight legislators, who had submitted letters of resignation from UDP and joined the BJP, were recognized after a verification process that confirmed their intent to switch parties. Their new affiliation bolsters the BJP's presence in the state, although the party still does not hold a majority on its own.
Political analysts note that the shift could influence upcoming policy debates and coalition dynamics, as the UDP, once a key regional player, now faces a diminished role. The speaker's decision is final unless challenged in a court of law, and the assembly is expected to convene later this week to address the implications of the change.
The development underscores the fluid nature of state politics in the Northeast, where party allegiance often shifts in response to evolving regional and national considerations.