Meghalaya UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh resigns from Cabinet
Lyngdoh stepped down as a minister after 11 of the party's 12 MLAs defected to other political groups.
United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh resigned from his position in the Conrad K Sangma-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government on Saturday, October 31, according to The Federal.
Lyngdoh submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, stating he could not remain a Cabinet minister because the party had been reduced to a single legislator.
The resignation, which took immediate effect, follows the departure of 11 UDP MLAs. Eight members joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September, while three others moved to the National People's Party (NPP) in October.
The UDP won 12 seats during the 2023 Assembly elections. Following the recent exits, the NPP's strength in the 60-member Assembly has increased to 36 seats, and the BJP's tally has reached 10.
Lyngdoh, a former Speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly, held portfolios for Power, Textiles, Water Resources, and Taxation. He described his resignation as a voluntary decision based on the current political scenario.
The UDP Central Executive Committee will consult with organisational leaders and office-bearers to determine the party's next steps.