Shillong, Nov 2: West Shillong MLA Paul Lyngdoh, who recently aligned with the National People’s Party after deserting the United Democratic Party, was on Monday sworn in as cabinet minister by Governor C H Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan at 5 pm, just two days after lone UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from the Conrad Sangma cabinet.
Paul returns to the council of ministers a year after he was dropped in September 2025 reshuffle when he held tourism portfolio. His induction comes after he formally joined NPP on October 28 along with Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh, a move that reduced UDP from 12 MLAs to just one – Metbah himself.
The oath taking fills the vacancy created by Metbah’s resignation on Oct 31 who had said he is left as lone MLA and cannot continue as minister. Metbah was holding power, water resources, taxation and textiles portfolios.
The political calculations behind Paul’s swift comeback are telling. With 11 of 12 UDP MLAs leaving – eight joining BJP in September in a merger recognised by Speaker in mid-October and three joining NPP this month – NPP’s own strength has surged to 36 in the 60-member assembly, giving Conrad Sangma a brute majority and reducing dependence on allies.
Crucially, by inducting Paul instead of any of the eight former UDP MLAs who merged with BJP. The party has two cabinet ministers – Sanbor Shullai and Lahkmen Rymbui. The move is seen as a strategic check on BJP’s expansion in Khasi Hills and a signal that NPP will be the centre of gravity for all future realignments.
Paul’s entry also gives NPP a credible, articulate Khasi face and a strong foothold in Shillong city for the 2028 assembly polls where UDP traditionally held sway. A former-KSU president and popular urban MLA, Paul is expected to get tourism back along with other key portfolios earlier held by Metbah, sources said.
For UDP, Meghalaya’s oldest regional party, it is a double blow – out of cabinet and reduced to one MLA. Its Central Executive Committee is scheduled to meet on Nov 3 to decide whether to continue support to MDA or withdraw and sit in opposition. Even if it withdraws, the government remains safe with 36 NPP plus allies.
Sources indicate Mawkyrwat MLA Renikton could be accommodated in a future expansion if another vacancy arises, but for now Conrad has chosen experience and loyalty over mere numbers, sealing Paul’s comeback as the comeback king of Meghalaya politics.
