Shillong, September 11 – The uncertainty surrounding a possible shift of UDP legislators to the BJP appears to have been resolved after Mawsynram MLA Ollan Sing Suin confirmed that an eight‑member group is engaged in negotiations with the saffron party and is prepared to join if its conditions are met.
Suin explained that the group has presented five specific demands to the BJP’s central leadership. These include the inclusion of Khasi in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule, the removal of restrictions on coal mining in Meghalaya, the relocation of Harijans from Them Iew Mawlong, issues related to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, and the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act. He noted that the Assembly has already passed a resolution on Khasi’s inclusion, and that these matters have been raised by civil society.
He clarified that the group consists of eight MLAs, not nine as some reports suggested, and that it is focused solely on the demands rather than ministerial positions. Suin pointed out that the National People’s Party already has 33 MLAs and that the UDP group is not seeking any berths.
The group had travelled to Delhi, where some members met with BJP officials while Suin remained in his constituency. The discussions took place after their return, and Suin said that talks with the BJP were already underway.
When asked if the meeting could be his last as a UDP MLA, Suin said he could not predict the outcome but referenced former Khasi leader J.J.M. Nichols Roy’s switch to Congress, suggesting that a political realignment could be justified if it delivers benefits for the people. The possibility of a switch remains open if the BJP accepts the group’s terms.
