UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh rules out BJP merger, says all 12 MLAs intact
Synopsis
Meghalaya's UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh has flatly denied reports that nine of his party's 12 MLAs were set to merge with the BJP — a move that would have reshuffled the state's coalition arithmetic. He says a policy meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah over FCRA amendments was the seed of the rumour, and that all legislators are accounted for and in place.
Key Takeaways
UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday rejected reports of a BJP merger, saying all 12 UDP MLAs remain with the party.
Lyngdoh said he personally spoke to every legislator and none expressed intent to join the BJP .
Nine UDP MLAs had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah over FCRA amendments — a meeting later mischaracterised as a political merger exercise.
Four MLAs — Pius Marwein , Balajied Synrem , Kyrmen Shylla , and Shynshar Lyngdoh — travelled to Kolkata on Saturday for personal reasons, not political talks.
Lyngdoh also denied reports of internal dissent over his leadership following recent Meghalaya Cabinet changes.
United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday categorically rejected reports of a mass defection of party legislators to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that all 12 UDP MLAs remain firmly within the party and are currently present in Meghalaya. Speaking in Shillong, Lyngdoh said he had personally contacted every legislator and received no indication of any intent to switch sides.
UDP Chief's Direct Denial
Lyngdoh was unequivocal in dismissing speculation that had been circulating in political circles and the media. 'There is no problem in UDP as of now. I have spoken to all MLAs directly, not through third persons, and none of them said they are joining the BJP. I heard this only from the media,' he said. He added that reports suggesting nine UDP MLAs were preparing to merge with the BJP were based 'purely on speculation.'
'Speculation will remain speculation. I will tell you only what is happening,' Lyngdoh said, urging journalists to independently verify political claims before publishing them.
The FCRA Meeting That Sparked Rumours
Lyngdoh also addressed reports that UDP legislators had recently travelled to Delhi to negotiate a merger with the BJP. He clarified that nine UDP MLAs had earlier met Union Home Minister Amit Shah over proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) — an official policy matter — but that the meeting had subsequently been misread as a political exercise. Lyngdoh himself said he had remained in Shillong throughout the week, travelling to Delhi only the previous Monday for a programme connected to the FCRA.
Where the MLAs Actually Were
Dismissing reports of legislators camping in Guwahati and Kolkata for talks with BJP leaders, Lyngdoh named four MLAs — Pius Marwein, Balajied Synrem, Kyrmen Shylla, and Shynshar Lyngdoh — who had travelled to Kolkata on Saturday evening for personal business, not political negotiations. Other legislators including B Kurbah, Olan Sing Suin, and Lahkmen Rymbui were in Shillong, he confirmed.
Internal Dissent Claims Also Rejected
Lyngdoh also denied reports of growing dissatisfaction within the UDP over his leadership. 'There is no discontent over my leadership,' he said, adding that none of the MLAs he spoke to had expressed any grievance. This comes amid broader speculation that followed his induction into the Meghalaya Cabinet and the simultaneous dropping of Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla — moves that had prompted questions about internal fault lines within the party.
What Comes Next
The UDP is a key constituent of the ruling coalition in Meghalaya, and any significant defection to the BJP would have immediate implications for the state government's arithmetic. For now, Lyngdoh's firm public stance has pushed back against the merger narrative, but political observers will watch for any further signals in the coming days, particularly around FCRA-related legislative developments at the Centre.
Point of View
Whatever its intent, followed that playbook closely enough to generate credible speculation. Lyngdoh's point-by-point rebuttal is unusually detailed for a denial, which itself signals how seriously the UDP is taking the threat. The deeper question is whether the Cabinet reshuffle — which dropped two sitting UDP figures — has created the kind of internal pressure that a denial alone cannot fully resolve. Coalition politics in Meghalaya are rarely as stable as official statements suggest.
NationPress
31 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Did UDP MLAs meet BJP leaders to discuss a merger?
According to UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh, no such political meeting took place. Nine UDP MLAs did meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, but Lyngdoh clarified the meeting was about proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), not a merger negotiation.
Are all 12 UDP MLAs still with the party?
Yes, according to Metbah Lyngdoh. He said he personally spoke to all 12 UDP MLAs and none indicated any intention to join the BJP. He also confirmed their locations — several were in Shillong and four had travelled to Kolkata for personal reasons.
Why did reports of a UDP-BJP merger surface?
Reports appear to have originated from the UDP legislators' meeting with Home Minister Amit Shah over FCRA amendments, which was subsequently interpreted as a political exercise. Travel by some MLAs to Kolkata and Delhi in recent days also fuelled speculation.
Is there internal dissent within the UDP?
Lyngdoh denied any internal discontent, including over his leadership. The denial came amid speculation triggered by the dropping of Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla from the Meghalaya Cabinet following Lyngdoh's own induction.
What is the UDP's role in Meghalaya's government?
The United Democratic Party (UDP) is a key constituent of the ruling coalition in Meghalaya. Any significant defection of its MLAs to the BJP would directly affect the state government's legislative majority and coalition stability.
