Eight sitting MLAs of the United Democratic Party (UDP) from Meghalaya joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the party headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The legislators who joined the BJP were Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Sing Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Eight sitting UDP MLAs joined the BJP.
The joining took place at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi on September 23.
Kiren Rijiju and Sambit Patra were present at the induction.
BJP strength in the Meghalaya Assembly increased from 2 to 10.
UDP strength declined from 12 to 4.
The induction took place in the presence of Union Minister and senior BJP leader Kiren Rijiju and BJP national spokesperson and Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra.
Welcoming the eight MLAs into the BJP, Rijiju said their decision was influenced by the development initiatives undertaken by the Narendra Modi-led government in the Northeast.
With the joining of the eight MLAs, the BJP's strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly increased from two to 10, while the UDP's strength declined from 12 to four. The BJP became the second-largest party in the Assembly after the National People's Party (NPP).
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The induction of eight sitting MLAs significantly increased the BJP's representation in the Meghalaya Assembly and made it the second-largest party in the House.
