UDP President Metbah Lyngdoh Quits Meghalaya Cabinet Amid Party Crisis
After 11 of the party’s 12 MLAs joined the BJP and NPP, UDP’s sole remaining legislator resigned from the MDA government; the party’s Central Executive Committee is expected to decide its future political course.
SHILLONG- United Democratic Party (UDP) president and Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from the Conrad K. Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government on Saturday, October 31, after a mass exodus of legislators left him as the party’s sole MLA in the 60-member Assembly.
Lyngdoh, the MLA from Mairang who held the portfolios of Power, Water Resources, Taxation and Textiles (inducted in a September 2025 cabinet reshuffle), submitted his resignation with immediate effect to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. He announced the decision after an emergency party meeting.
Addressing the media, Lyngdoh said: “Due to current political scenario arising in the state especially in the party where 11 MLAs have left me as a lone MLA and the party, after very thorough and careful consideration I have taken decision that I will not be able to continue as Cabinet Minister in MDA Government. Therefore today I have placed my resignation letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma with immediate effect.”
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He emphasised that the move was voluntary and not made under pressure: “This decision is not being taken under any kind of pressure but we will always take a very mature and right decision.” He added that the UDP’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) would deliberate on further steps, including whether to continue supporting the MDA government, with a meeting expected around November 3. On questions about sitting in opposition or future political course, he said those decisions would be left to the party leadership and office-bearers.
Crisis in the UDP
The UDP, one of Meghalaya’s oldest regional parties, won 12 seats in the 2023 Assembly elections and was a key constituent of the NPP-led MDA coalition. Over recent weeks, 11 of its 12 MLAs defected: eight merged with the BJP in September (merger recognised by the Speaker in mid-October), and three others (Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh) joined the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) earlier in October (also recognised by the Speaker). This reduced the UDP’s strength to just one legislator — Lyngdoh.
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The eight who joined the BJP included Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah. The defections followed internal rifts, including a September 2025 cabinet reshuffle that replaced senior leaders Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla with Metbah Lyngdoh and Lahkmen Rymbui. Some departing leaders cited leadership issues, organisational weaknesses after electoral setbacks, and internal contradictions. The NPP’s strength has risen to around 36 MLAs and the BJP’s to about 10.
Recent political scenario in Meghalaya
The NPP, led by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, heads the MDA coalition, which includes the BJP and (until now) the UDP. The mass exit of UDP legislators has significantly strengthened the ruling side while dealing a severe blow to the regional party, once influential especially in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills. The Speaker’s recognition of the mergers under the Tenth Schedule (anti-defection provisions) formalised the shifts without disqualifications.
Lyngdoh’s resignation is seen as a direct consequence of the party’s drastic reduction in legislative strength. The UDP’s CEC is expected to decide on continued support to the government or other options. The developments highlight the fluid nature of Meghalaya’s coalition politics, where regional parties often face challenges from larger national and ruling partners.
Further clarity on the UDP’s future role is awaited after the party’s internal deliberations.
