8 ex-UDP MLAs submit merger letter to Meghalaya Assembly

In a major political development in Meghalaya, eight former United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs who recently crossed over to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) formally submitted a letter to the State Legislative Assembly on Friday, informing the House of their merger with the saffron party.

In the absence of Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma — who is currently on an official study tour in Malta— the merger documents were handed over to Dr Andrew Simons, Adviser (Legislation) to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. The legislators were accompanied during the submission by BJP State President Rikman G Momin and BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai.

Speaking to media persons after accepting the papers, Dr Simons confirmed that all eight legislators had submitted their documents seeking recognition of their merger with the BJP. “The papers have been submitted by all of them. The letter is addressed to the Hon’ble Speaker, informing about the merger with the Bharatiya Janata Party. They have submitted the required documents, and it will be processed accordingly. The matter will be examined by the Hon’ble Speaker, following which an appropriate order will be passed,” Simons stated.

Of the eight legislators, seven were physically present during the submission, while the papers of Mayralborn Syiem were submitted on his behalf in his absence. Addressing queries on whether the move constitutes a full merger of the UDP Legislature Party given that four UDP MLAs remain outside the group, Dr Simons noted that the Assembly Secretariat would thoroughly examine all technicalities, documents, and constitutional provisions before the Speaker delivers a final ruling.