Shillong, Oct 19: In a fresh blow to the United Democratic Party (UDP), three of its legislators have deserted the party to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), triggering a high-stakes legal test before the Assembly Speaker.
UDP stalwarts Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh submitted a formal merger application to Speaker Thomas A. Sangma at his office on Monday, seeking to merge the UDP legislature group with the NPP.
If recognised, the defection will take the NPP’s tally to 36 in the 60-member House, further cementing its dominance and leaving the UDP severely weakened.
But the Speaker has refused to give an instant green signal.
Confirming receipt of the application, Sangma told reporters that the merger will not be treated as a mere formality, even though it numerically appears to satisfy the two-thirds requirement under the Tenth Schedule.
“This is the fifth merger application during my tenure. Every case has legal and procedural angles. I have to examine the documents and take legal opinion,” the Speaker said.
In a significant observation, Sangma said he must be personally satisfied that the merger is voluntary. While Paul Lyngdoh and Renikton Tongkhar appeared before him, Nujorki Sungoh is out of state for medical treatment. The Speaker said he will seek legal advice on whether Sungoh can be verified online, or his physical presence is mandatory.
Sangma also made it clear that past precedents — including the controversial merger of eight UDP MLAs with the BJP that was recognised earlier — will not automatically apply.
The move comes at a critical time for Meghalaya politics, with the ruling coalition seeking to consolidate numbers. The UDP, which has been facing internal churn, is now staring at a potential split in the Assembly.
The fate of the three MLAs now rests entirely on the Speaker’s ruling.
