Eight United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs from Meghalaya joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in New Delhi on September 23, 2026. The group includes Meghalaya minister Lahkmen Rymbui and seven other sitting legislators. Rymbui said the decision followed discussions with BJP leaders on several issues concerning Meghalaya.
These include Khasi and Garo language recognition, amendments to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, coal mining procedures and the relocation of the Harijan Colony. The move changes the numbers in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, with the BJP rising from two to 10 MLAs and the UDP falling from 12 to four.
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8 UDP MLAs Join BJP
Eight UDP legislators formally joined the BJP at the party headquarters in New Delhi on September 23.
The group includes Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy. Akashvani News
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra attended the joining ceremony along with other party leaders.
Rymbui Says Decision Followed Discussions
Lahkmen Rymbui said the decision did not happen suddenly. According to him, the MLAs had held discussions with BJP leaders for some time before joining the party. India Today NE
Rymbui said the discussions focused on several issues that the legislators believe require greater support from the Centre.
He also said BJP leaders gave encouraging responses to the concerns raised by the MLAs.
Four Key Issues Raised
The MLAs highlighted four major issues during their discussions with the BJP leadership.
First, they sought the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Second, they raised the need for changes to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA).
The group also discussed procedures related to coal mining and the proposed relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong. India Today NE
BJP Strength Rises to 10
The political arithmetic in the Meghalaya Assembly has changed following the move.
Before the switch, the BJP had two MLAs, while the UDP had 12 legislators. After eight UDP MLAs joined the BJP, the BJP’s strength rose to 10, while the UDP was reduced to four MLAs. The New Indian Express
The 60-member Meghalaya Assembly now has the BJP as the second-largest party, behind the National People’s Party (NPP), according to current reports. NDTV
Both Parties Part of Ruling Alliance
The BJP and UDP are both constituents of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, which is led by the NPP.
Therefore, the movement of the eight legislators changes the strength of the constituent parties within the ruling alliance while both remain part of the state government’s broader coalition structure. The New Indian Express
Rijiju Welcomes the MLAs
Kiren Rijiju welcomed the eight legislators into the BJP during the joining ceremony.
He linked their decision to development in Meghalaya and the wider Northeast under the BJP-led government at the Centre. These comments represent the BJP leadership’s explanation for the political development. The Economic Times
Key Facts
- State: Meghalaya
- Date: September 23, 2026
- MLAs joining BJP: 8
- Former party: United Democratic Party (UDP)
- BJP strength before move: 2
- BJP strength after move: 10
- UDP strength before move: 12
- UDP strength after move: 4
- Assembly strength: 60 members
- Key leader: Lahkmen Rymbui
- Major issues raised: Khasi and Garo languages, MRSSA, coal mining and Harijan Colony relocation
- Joining location: BJP headquarters, New Delhi
Questions and Answers
Who joined the BJP from the UDP?
Eight UDP MLAs, including minister Lahkmen Rymbui, joined the BJP.
Why did the MLAs join the BJP?
Rymbui said their decision followed discussions on issues concerning Meghalaya and the response they received from BJP leaders.
What happened to the BJP’s Assembly strength?
The BJP’s strength increased from two to 10 MLAs.
What happened to the UDP’s strength?
The UDP’s strength decreased from 12 to four MLAs.
What issues did the MLAs raise?
They discussed Khasi and Garo language recognition, MRSSA, coal mining procedures and the relocation of the Harijan Colony.
Location Context
Meghalaya is a key state in Northeast India, with distinct linguistic, cultural and regional issues. The movement of eight UDP MLAs changes the current composition of the state Assembly and has become a significant development in Meghalaya politics.
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