Three UDP MLAs Join Conrad Sangma’s NPP in Meghalaya; Party Strength Rises to 36

Three UDP MLAs Join Meghalaya’s Ruling NPP

The National People’s Party (NPP), led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, has strengthened its position in the state Assembly after three legislators from the United Democratic Party (UDP) joined the ruling party.

The three MLAs are Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh. Their merger with the NPP was formally recognised by Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on October 23.

Following the development, the NPP’s strength has increased from 33 to 36 MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. The party is now further strengthened within the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).

Who Are the Three MLAs Who Joined NPP?

The three legislators and their constituencies are:

• Paul Lyngdoh: West Shillong

• Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar: Mawkyrwat

• Nujorki Sungoh: Mowkaiaw

The legislators submitted their merger communication to the Assembly Speaker on October 17. After examining the documents and the legislators’ decision, the Speaker recognised the merger under Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution.

They will now occupy seats in the Meghalaya Assembly as NPP members.

UDP Reduced to Just One MLA

The move marks a major setback for the United Democratic Party, which has seen most of its legislative strength shift to other parties.

Earlier, eight of the UDP’s MLAs merged with the Bharatiya Janata Party. The Speaker recognised that merger on October 16, reducing the UDP Legislature Party from 12 members to four.

With the latest merger of three more legislators with the NPP, the UDP has been reduced to just one MLA—its president, Metbah Lyngdoh, who is also a minister in the state government.

The successive mergers have significantly altered the balance among regional parties in Meghalaya.

BJP Also Emerges as the Assembly’s Second-Largest Party

The BJP’s strength in the Meghalaya Assembly has increased from two to 10 MLAs following the merger of eight former UDP legislators.

The BJP is also a constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance. With 10 members, it has become the second-largest party in the Assembly after the NPP.

The latest political realignment has therefore strengthened both major parties within the ruling coalition, while sharply reducing the UDP’s representation.

What Does the Merger Mean for Conrad Sangma’s Government?

The increase in the NPP’s legislative strength consolidates Conrad Sangma’s position in the Assembly ahead of the next Meghalaya Assembly election, scheduled for 2028.

The NPP now has 36 members in the 60-seat House, giving it a stronger position within the state’s political landscape. The BJP’s increase to 10 MLAs also strengthens its representation in the ruling alliance.

Although both parties are already part of the MDA government, the changes could influence political negotiations, the distribution of influence within the coalition and the strategies adopted by regional parties ahead of the next election.

Merger Recognised Under the Tenth Schedule

The Speaker recognised the three legislators’ merger under Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule to the Constitution, which contains provisions relating to mergers under the anti-defection framework.

The recognition followed the earlier decision concerning the eight UDP MLAs who merged with the BJP. The two developments have reduced the UDP’s legislative presence from 12 members to one.

The merger process has consequently become a significant constitutional and political development in Meghalaya, with the Assembly’s party composition changing substantially.

Meghalaya Politics Ahead of the 2028 Elections

The movement of legislators from the UDP to the NPP and BJP comes ahead of the next Assembly elections in 2028.

The UDP, once represented by 12 legislators, now has only its president, Metbah Lyngdoh, in the Assembly. Meanwhile, the NPP has expanded its strength to 36, and the BJP has increased its representation to 10.

The developments could reshape political competition in Meghalaya, particularly among regional parties in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region, where the UDP has traditionally maintained a significant presence.

Key Takeaways

• Three UDP MLAs—Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh—have merged with the NPP.

• Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma recognised the merger on October 23, 2026.

• The NPP’s strength has risen from 33 to 36 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.

• Eight other UDP MLAs previously merged with the BJP.

• The BJP’s strength has increased from two to 10 MLAs.

• UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh is now the party’s sole MLA.

• Both the NPP and BJP are part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.

• The political realignment comes ahead of the next Meghalaya Assembly election in 2028.

Bottom Line

The merger of three UDP MLAs with Conrad K. Sangma’s NPP has raised the ruling party’s strength to 36 in Meghalaya’s 60-member Assembly. Following the earlier merger of eight UDP legislators with the BJP, the UDP has been reduced to a single MLA. The changes mark a major shift in Meghalaya’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.