UDP President Metba Lyngdoh resigns from Meghalaya Cabinet post

Amidst political upheaval in Meghalaya, United Democratic Party (UDP) President Metba Lyngdoh resigned from his post as a Cabinet Minister on Saturday. He had been serving in the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, led by Conrad K. Sangma, for over a year. Lyngdoh took this decision keeping in view the changing political circumstances in the state. He has submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and stated that his resignation will come into effect immediately.

According to an NDTV report, 11 out of the 12 UDP MLAs have left the party, leaving Lyngdoh as the sole MLA of the party in the Assembly. Out of these 11 MLAs, 8 MLAs have joined the BJP and 3 MLAs have joined the National People's Party (NPP). Metba Lyngdoh, who has also served as a former Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly, stated that he cannot continue to function as a Minister when his party has been limited to just one MLA in the Assembly. He added that this is the party's first decision and other decisions will also be taken.

According to a report by The Hindu, Lyngdoh clarified that his resignation is voluntary and there is no pressure on him. He was in charge of departments such as Power, Textiles, Water Resources, and Taxation. In September, 8 MLAs joined the BJP and at the beginning of this month, 3 other MLAs joined the NPP. The Speaker has recognised both mergers, due to which the strength of the UDP has decreased from 12 to 1. Due to these changes, the number of NPP in the 60-member Assembly has increased to 36, while the number of BJP has increased to 10.

The 8 MLAs who joined the BJP include Lahakmen Ryngbu, Kyrmen Shyla, Pius Marvin, Myralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurwah, Alan Singh Suin, Balajid Kuper Synrem, and Sinshar Kuper Roy Lyngdoh Thaba. Meanwhile, the 3 MLAs who joined the NPP include Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, and Nujorki Sungo. The UDP had emerged as the largest regional party in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region with 12 seats in the 2023 Assembly elections, but the large-scale defection of its MLAs in the last three years is creating an existential crisis for the party.

During this period of political instability, reports of dissatisfaction within the party regarding leadership and organisational issues have also emerged. During the Cabinet reshuffle held in September 2025, Metba Lyngdoh and Lahakmen Ryngbu secured places in the state Cabinet as UDP representatives in place of senior leaders Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shyla. Lyngdoh stated that the UDP's Central Executive Committee will deliberate on these developments and decide on future steps after consulting with party leaders and office bearers. He further added that he does not wish to comment at present and wants to leave this decision to the party leaders and office bearers.