Speculation over a possible political realignment in Meghalaya intensified following reports that as many as nine of the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) 12 MLAs could join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, the UDP dismissed the reports as rumours and maintained that none of its legislators has expressed any intention to leave the party.
The political discussions reportedly gained momentum after a meeting involving UDP leaders and BJP leaders in Guwahati. BJP national spokesperson and Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra is understood to have conveyed the developments to the party’s central leadership in New Delhi, while Assam Chief Minister and NEDA convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma is expected to remain in contact with the legislators.
Patra left Guwahati for Manipur on Monday after meeting Sarma and UDP leaders on Sunday night. Sources said any final decision would be taken only after the matter is discussed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president Nitin Nabin in New Delhi.
The reports gained momentum after UDP MLAs met Shah in Delhi earlier this month. However, UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh rejected the suggestion that the meeting was linked to any plan to join the BJP.
Lyngdoh said all 12 UDP MLAs remained with the party and that none had informed him of any intention to switch sides. He said the meeting with Shah was related to issues concerning the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and other matters affecting Meghalaya.
“When they say they have no problem, I believe them. I have to trust them, and I do not see anyone making an attempt to join the BJP,” Lyngdoh said.
He also disputed reports about the movements of several legislators. He acknowledged that Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Balajied Synrem and Synshar Kupar Lyngdoh were in Kolkata for personal work, while some MLAs reportedly staying in Guwahati were actually in Shillong.
UDP general secretary Titosstarwell Chyne said the meeting with Shah covered a range of issues, including amendments to the FCRA, restrictions on coal mining, the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, Inner Line Permit, the relocation of Iew Mawlong and border fencing.
He said the party subsequently held a Parliamentary Party meeting attended by almost all its MLAs, during which the legislators made it clear that they had no plans to leave the UDP or join the BJP.
“As of today, all the MLAs are with the UDP. Politics may have no full stop and we cannot predict the future, but as of now, all the MLAs remain with the UDP,” Chyne said.
UDP MLA Ollan Sing Suin, whose name was mentioned in reports about the alleged Guwahati meeting, also denied being there. He said he was in his native Lawbah village and was unaware of any move to join the BJP.
The BJP, meanwhile, has stopped short of issuing an outright denial. Senior party leaders A.L. Hek and Sanbor Shullai have said the BJP’s doors are open to leaders from other parties, while stressing that any decision on a merger or induction would rest with the national leadership.
The uncertainty has raised questions about whether any discussions with the UDP are being handled by the BJP’s Meghalaya unit or directly by its central leadership. BJP Meghalaya in-charge Anil Antony has not offered a detailed public explanation, while BJP leader Tom Vadakkan reportedly said he had no clear information about the developments.
If nine of the UDP’s 12 MLAs were to join the BJP, the saffron party’s strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly would rise from two to 11. Such a move could significantly alter the balance within the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government and give the BJP considerably greater political leverage.
The development comes amid wider political churn in Meghalaya, including discontent following the removal of UDP ministers in the previous Cabinet reshuffle, demands for a larger ministerial share for the BJP and reports of some Trinamool Congress MLAs being in contact with the BJP ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
For now, however, the UDP has maintained that its legislative wing remains intact and urged party workers, journalists and social media users to verify information before believing or circulating rumours.