The United Democratic Party (UDP) on Wednesday suspended three of its MLAs after they joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The suspended legislators are Khliehriat MLA Kyrmen Shylla, Mawsynram MLA Ollan Singh Suin and Mawphlang MLA Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
UDP suspended three MLAs on September 23.
The suspended MLAs are Kyrmen Shylla, Ollan Singh Suin and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah.
The three had joined the BJP along with five other UDP MLAs.
UDP said the three did not respond to show-cause notices within the stipulated time.
BJP strength in the Meghalaya Assembly rose from 2 to 10 MLAs.
UDP strength fell from 12 to 4 MLAs.
UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh said the party had issued show-cause notices to the three legislators after they announced their decision to join another political party. They were given an opportunity to appear before the UDP State Parliamentary Board or submit their replies in writing by Wednesday.
According to Lyngdoh, none of the three legislators responded to the notices within the stipulated time. The State Parliamentary Board subsequently decided to suspend them until further orders. The suspension orders were communicated to the three MLAs in writing.
The three suspended legislators were among eight UDP MLAs who joined the BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday. The other five were Lahkmen Rymbui, Balajied Kupar Synrem, Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah, Pius Marwein and Mayralborn Syiem.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The movement of eight UDP MLAs to the BJP has significantly changed the numerical strength of the two parties in the Meghalaya Assembly.
Following the move, the BJP's strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly increased from two to 10, while the UDP's strength fell from 12 to four.
Lyngdoh said the UDP would decide its further course of action and communicate it at an appropriate time.
