SHILLONG, OCT 23: A week after losing eight MLAs to the BJP, the United Democratic Party suffered another setback on Friday with three of its remaining four MLAs merging with the ruling National People’s Party.
Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma has recognised the merger, bringing down the UDP Legislature Party strength in the 60-member Assembly to just one.
The three legislators who have switched to NPP are Paul Lyngdoh from West Shillong, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar from Mawkyrwat and Nujorki Sungoh from Mowkaiaw.
In its order dated October 23, the Assembly Secretariat said the three had approached the Speaker on October 17 claiming they fulfil the two-thirds requirement under Paragraph 4(2) of the Tenth Schedule for a valid merger and that the original UDP has resolved to merge with the NPP.
They were summoned for personal verification on October 19 and they reiterated their decision before the Speaker.
Accepting the merger, the Speaker noted that the three members constitute not less than two-thirds of the UDP Legislature Party and have decided to merge with the NPP “voluntarily and of their own will.”
The order has directed allotment of seats to the three as NPP members.
By Our Reporter
