Meghalaya UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh resigns as minister
The resignation comes after 11 of the party's 12 legislators defected to the BJP and NPP.
United Democratic Party (UDP) president Metbah Lyngdoh resigned as a minister in the Meghalaya Government on Saturday, according to The Assam Tribune.
Lyngdoh stated he submitted his resignation letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma after assessing the political situation and recent developments within the party.
The resignation follows a crisis in which 11 of the UDP's 12 legislators defected, leaving Lyngdoh as the party's only MLA in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Eight UDP legislators joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in September, while three others joined the National People’s Party (NPP) earlier this month.
Lyngdoh rejected speculation that he was forced to step down, maintaining that his decision was voluntary.
The party's central executive committee will deliberate on the developments and decide on a future course of action with party leaders and office-bearers.