SHILLONG : Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma has formally recognised the merger of eight former United Democratic Party (UDP) legislators with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), significantly strengthening the BJP’s position in the state Assembly.

According to a notification issued by the Assembly Secretary, the merger has been recognised under Paragraph 4 of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution of India. The provision deals with the exemption from disqualification in cases involving a merger, subject to the prescribed conditions, including the requirement that at least two-thirds of the members of a legislature party agree to the merger.

The eight former UDP legislators who have joined the BJP are Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.

Following the Speaker’s recognition, the UDP’s strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly has fallen to four MLAs, while the BJP’s tally has increased to ten, according to the notification.

The development marks a significant shift in the state’s political equation and strengthens the BJP’s numerical position within the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government.