3 MLAs in Meghalaya resign from state assembly, likely to join BJP

Two MLAs belonged to National People’s Party (NPP) and one from Trinamool Congress (TMC). NPP is leading the six party coalition government in the state and BJP is the partner in the coalition.

TMC MLA from Mawsynram HM Shangpliang, Raksamgre NPP MLA, Benedic R Marak and NPP Selsella MLA Ferlin CA Sangma submitted their resignation to Assembly Speaker, Metbah Lyngdoh.

The state is likely to go to assembly polls early next year. HM Shangpliang told media persons, “We want development in the state and BJP is for development. Just see in neighbouring Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered job letters to 25,000 youths in one day why cannot we do this here.”


BJP which is a part of six party led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA)government has already announced that it will contest the next year's assembly polls on its own. It will contest all the 60 seats.

The first list of candidates would be announced in January. In the 60-member assembly in 2018 the party contested 47 seats. Relations between BJP and National People’s Party (NPP)have strained.

Earlier NPP and partner in ruling coalition United Democratic Party has announced that it will go solo in the polls.

In the last assembly polls in 2018 BJP won two seats – Pynthorumkhrah (Alexander Laloo Hek) and South Shillong (Sanbor Shullai). Shullai is now a cabinet minister of the MDA government.

BJP in Meghalaya has recently threatened to withdraw support from the MDA. Relationship between BJP and NPP soured as recently BJP 's state vice president Bernard Marak was arrested for allegedly running a brothel. The BJP had described his arrest as “political vendetta”. Ao had alleged Marak was framed.