Correspondent
SHILLONG, NOV 3 (NPN): The United Democratic Party (UDP) has withdrawn support from the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA-II) government following a massive political exodus that left it with a solitary legislator.
The UDP’s exit is unlikely to threaten the stability of the Conrad Sangma-led administration, given that the ruling NPP alone commands 36 legislators—safely clearing the 31-seat simple majority threshold in the 60-member Assembly.
UDP General Secretary Titosstarwell Chyne stated that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), which met on Tuesday, unanimously decided to pull out of the government to safeguard its long-term interests. “We decided to withdraw support from the MDA government following the resignation of Metbah Lyngdoh as a Cabinet Minister, especially since the party is now reduced to a single member in the Assembly,” Chyne told reporters.
He explained that the decision to withdraw from the government was taken unanimously, given that the UDP now holds only one seat while the NPP alone commands 36 legislators.
On Saturday, UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh resigned as a Cabinet Minister following a massive political upheaval that saw eight party legislators join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on September 23, 2026, and three others merge with the ruling NPP in October. Chyne also clarified that there was no political pressure on Lyngdoh to step down as a Cabinet Minister. “Metbah tendered his resignation of his own free will, following close consultations with party leaders,” the General Secretary stated. Meanwhile, the CEC of the UDP has decided to completely overhaul its organisational structure after losing 11 of its 12 legislators.
“We are positive that we can revive the party. Now this is our aim and objective,” Chyne said, asserting that this does not constitute a permanent setback for the UDP. The MDA-II government comprises 36 NPP members and retains the support of ten BJP legislators, two members from the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and two Independent legislators.