Shillong, 02 November (H.S.): NPP led MDA 2 government in Meghalaya is set to induct

former United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator Paul Lyngdoh into the state

Cabinet on Monday, with the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for 5 pm at Lok

Bhavan in Shillong.

The induction follows Lyngdoh’s decision to join the

National People’s Party (NPP), led by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, along

with two other UDP legislators earlier this month.

His entry into the Cabinet comes just days after UDP

president Metbah Lyngdoh resigned as a minister on October 31, following a

series of defections that left the party with only one legislator.

The UDP’s decline in the Assembly unfolded in two phases.

Eight of its MLAs joined the BJP in September, while three others — Paul

Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh — switched to the NPP

this month.

The eight who joined the BJP were Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen

Shylla, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh

Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.

Metbah Lyngdoh had held the portfolios of power, textiles,

water resources and taxation before stepping down.

The latest political realignment has changed the composition

of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, with the NPP’s Assembly strength

rising to 36 and the BJP’s to 10. The UDP, which had won 12 seats in the 2023

Assembly elections and emerged as the second-largest party, has been reduced to

a lone legislator.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhijit Deb