Shillong, Sep 25: It’s official now — on Assembly record.
Eight former UDP MLAs who joined BJP in Delhi have formally submitted their merger letter to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, claiming merger of their group with the Bharatiya Janata Party.
With Speaker Thomas A. Sangma in Malta on a post-conference tour, the letter was submitted to Adviser (Legislation) Dr Andrew Simons on Friday. BJP state president Rikman G Momin and MLA Sanbor Shullai accompanied the group to the Assembly Secretariat.
“They have submitted the papers, addressed to the Hon’ble Speaker, informing about the merger with BJP. It will be examined and an appropriate order will be passed,” Simons told media, confirming receipt.
Seven of the eight were present. Documents for Mayralborn Syiem, who was absent, were also filed along with the group.
The key legal test now — can eight out of twelve claim to be the legislature party merger when four UDP MLAs stay out? Simons said the Secretariat will examine the claim under the Tenth Schedule and Assembly rules before the Speaker decides.
If accepted, BJP jumps from 2 to 10 overnight — making it the second largest force in the House and changing the power math inside the MDA.
