Shillong: Eight former United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs, who joined BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday, submitted a letter to the state assembly on Friday, informing it of their merger with BJP.As speaker Thomas A Sangma is currently in Malta on a post-conference study tour, the letter was submitted to Andrew Simons, adviser (legislation) to Meghalaya assembly.The legislators were accompanied by BJP state president Rikman G Momin and BJP MLA and minister Sanbor Shullai.After receiving the documents, Simons confirmed that all eight MLAs had submitted their papers and that the letter was addressed to the speaker.He said the legislators had described their move as a “merger” with BJP and that the submission would be examined under the applicable rules and constitutional provisions.“They have submitted the required documents, and it will be processed accordingly. The matter will be examined by the speaker, following which an appropriate order will be passed,” Simons told reporters.Seven of the eight MLAs — Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Olan Singh Suin, Mathew Beyondstar Kurbah, Pius Marwein, Synshar Thabah and Balajied Synrem — were present when the documents were submitted.The papers of Mayralborn Syiem, who was absent, were submitted along with those of the other legislators.Asked whether the move could be treated as a merger of UDP Legislature Party with BJP since four UDP MLAs continue to remain outside the group, Simons said the issue would require examination.He said the assembly secretariat would scrutinise all documents and issues raised in the submission before the speaker takes a decision under the relevant rules and constitutional provisions.
