Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from the Meghalaya Cabinet after submitting his letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. His exit underscores the UDP's collapse following the defection of 11 legislators.Lyngdoh said the UDP's Central Executive Committee would discuss the developments and decide its future course of action in consultation with party leaders and office-bearers.

Shillong,Nov 1, 2026 14:22 ISTUnited Democratic Party president Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from the Meghalaya Cabinet on Saturday after 11 of the party's 12 MLAs joined the BJP and the National People's Party, leaving him as the UDP's sole legislator in the state Assembly, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Lyngdoh told PTI that he had submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma after assessing the prevailing political situation and recent developments within the party. He rejected speculation that he had been forced to step down and said the decision was voluntary.Eight UDP MLAs merged with the BJP in September, while three others joined the NPP, the chief minister's party, earlier this month.

The Speaker recognised both mergers, reducing the UDP's strength in the Assembly from 12 to one. The BJP and the UDP are constituents of the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.Lyngdoh said the UDP's Central Executive Committee would discuss the developments and decide its future course of action in consultation with party leaders and office-bearers.

He held the power, textiles, water resources and taxation portfolios in the Cabinet. The changes came amid reported discontent within the UDP over leadership and organisational issues.

They also followed a Cabinet reshuffle in September 2025, when Metbah Lyngdoh and Lahkmen Rymbui replaced senior UDP leaders Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla as the party's representatives in the state Cabinet.The eight legislators who joined the BJP were Lahkmen Rymbui, Kyrmen Shylla, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah. Paul Lyngdoh, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar and Nujorki Sungoh merged with the NPP.

The moves increased the NPP's strength in the 60-member Assembly to 36 and the BJP's tally to 10.The UDP had emerged as the second-largest party in the 2023 Meghalaya Assembly elections with 12 seats. The defections have now left party president Metbah Lyngdoh as its only MLA, prompting his resignation from the state Cabinet.- Ends