Shillong: BJP leader AL Hek and UDP MLA Kyrmen Shylla said eight UDP legislators would join the BJP ahead of the 2028 Meghalaya Assembly elections.Hek said Union Home minister Amit Shah had finalised the move. If the legislators switch parties, the BJP’s strength in the 60-member Assembly would rise from two to 10.Hek said the BJP would “fully back” their demands, including implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act and inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. He said the demands were “genuine issues” for Meghalaya.Shylla said the legislators had sought assurances on the demands before joining. These include issues related to coal mining, relocation of the Harijan Colony from Them Iew Mawlong, and Khasi’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule.He said Shah had asked them to complete the joining process within four to five days. The BJP had assured them that a committee would be formed after they joined and action initiated on their demands. If the demands were not met, the legislators could leave the BJP “the next day”, Shylla said.The UDP has 12 MLAs, including two ministers in the Conrad K Sangma-led govt. The NPP has 33 MLAs.
