The UDP withdrew support from the NPP-led Meghalaya coalition after losing 11 legislators. The decision leaves Conrad Sangma's government secure but ends the regional party's alliance role.The decision will not affect Chief Minister Conrad Sangma government. (File photo) Shillong,Nov 3, 2026 19:45 ISTThe United Democratic Party (UDP) on Tuesday withdrew support from the National People's Party-led coalition government in Meghalaya after its strength in the state Assembly fell to one MLA, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The decision will not affect the Conrad Sangma government.
UDP president and its lone MLA, Metbah Lyngdoh, had resigned as a minister on October 31.The move came weeks after 11 of the UDP's 12 MLAs switched to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the NPP. All three parties are constituents of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).The UDP decided to withdraw support at a meeting of its Central Executive Committee, which reviewed the political developments that reduced the regional party's strength to one legislator in the 60-member Assembly.
Metbah Lyngdoh, UDP general secretary T Chyne and other senior leaders attended the meeting.āThe Central Executive Committee recommended that our lone MLA withdraw support from the coalition government. A letter to this effect will be sent to the chief minister,ā Chyne told reporters, according to PTI.
Eight UDP MLAs merged with the BJP in September, while three others joined the NPP last month. The Assembly Speaker subsequently recognised both mergers, reducing the UDP's strength from 12 MLAs to one.The UDP had been part of the MDA since its formation in 2018.
It won six seats in the 2018 Assembly elections and increased its tally to 12 in 2023, becoming the second-largest party in the state.The crisis began after the September 2025 Cabinet reshuffle, when Metbah Lyngdoh recommended that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma remove two senior UDP leaders, Paul Lyngdoh and Kyrmen Shylla, from the Cabinet.The move caused resentment among a section of the UDP. Eight party legislators, including Kyrmen Shylla, subsequently joined the BJP.
Paul Lyngdoh and two other legislators later joined the NPP, which is led by the chief minister. Paul Lyngdoh was sworn in as a minister on Monday.The NPP now has 36 MLAs and the BJP 10 in the 60-member House.
The UDP's withdrawal leaves it outside the ruling coalition, but does not affect the stability of the Sangma government.- Ends