Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and seven fellow UDP legislators—Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy—were inducted into the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi on Wednesday, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra witnessing the ceremony.
Rymbui said the switch resulted from sustained discussions with the BJP leadership on four priority issues: adding Khasi and Garo languages to the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, amending the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, easing coal‑mining procedures, and relocating the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong. He added that the central leadership gave encouraging responses and pledged action in the coming days.
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Before the defection, the BJP held two seats while the UDP had twelve in the 60‑member Meghalaya Assembly; both parties are part of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance led by NPP chief minister Conrad K. Sangma. Rijiju hailed the move as significant for the Northeast, linking it to development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a sentiment echoed by Rymbui.
