8 UDP MLAs set to join BJP in Meghalaya after meeting Amit Shah: MLA Kyrmen Shylla

Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], September 17 (ANI): In a major political development ahead of the 2028 Meghalaya Assembly elections, eight legislators from the United Democratic Party (UDP) are set to join the BJP after meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah and receiving assurances on several key demands, party MLA Kyrmen Shylla said on Thursday.
Speaking to ANI over the phone, Shylla said that the eight UDP MLAs had met Shah in New Delhi and were assured that their demands, including the resumption of legal coal mining and inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, would be addressed.
“Earlier, we eight MLAs from UDP met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and were assured that several key demands of ours would be resolved, including resumption of legal coal mining including Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule. We are set to join BJP this year,” Shylla said.
The UDP is currently the second-largest ally in the National People's Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance and has 12 MLAs, including two ministers in the Conrad K Sangma-led government.
If eight UDP MLAs join the BJP, the party's strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will increase from two to 10.
The development comes ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections in the northeastern state. 
Earlier, on September 12, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening connectivity and expanding development opportunities across the region, the Meghalaya Government unveiled a series of key projects in Tikrikilla, with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurating major tourism and economic infrastructure and laying the foundation stones for connectivity projects in the region.
According to a release, the projects were unveiled in the presence of Limison D Sangma, Deputy Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly; Timothy D Shira, Minister I/c Tourism Department; and Jimmy D Sangma, MLA, Tikrikilla, besides senior government officials, members of the GHADC and other dignitaries.
CM Sangma said that connectivity remained central to the Government’s development agenda, particularly in remote and interior areas of the state. (ANI)