Senior United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and cabinet minister Lahkmen Rymbui described reports that eight of the party’s twelve legislators may be in talks with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a matter of probability rather than speculation. While acknowledging the possibility, Rymbui stopped short of confirming any move, noting that political expectations do not always materialise and that outcomes can unfold differently.
Rymbui emphasized that the UDP remains united as an organisation, but individual legislators must decide based on careful assessment of their constituencies’ interests and broader state issues. He reiterated that there has been no discussion within the UDP about a leadership change and declined to comment on personal choices of its MLAs, urging observers to view developments with a “conscious mind” rather than assumptions.
The UDP, with 12 members in the 60‑seat Meghalaya Assembly, is the second‑largest party and a coalition partner in the NPP‑led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government. Meanwhile, BJP MLA Alexander Laloo Hek said the party’s doors are “always open and wide open” to leaders from any party, including the UDP, NPP and VPP. Hek added that leadership would be based on the ability to unite diverse groups, not merely seniority.
Hek explained that the BJP’s central leadership engages with state leaders when discussions involve other parties and outlined the party’s preparations for the 2028 Assembly elections. According to Hek, the BJP has identified potential constituencies and is conducting surveys to select suitable candidates.
