SHILLONG — The United Democratic Party has suspended three MLAs who had already left the party and joined the BJP. Timing remains a specialty of Meghalaya politics.
Khliehriat’s Kyrmen Shylla, Mawsynram’s Olan Sing Suin and Mawphlang’s Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah crossed over in New Delhi with five other UDP legislators. Only after the switch did the UDP issue suspensions, citing their failure to answer show-cause notices.
The sequence is almost perfect. First the resignation. Then the disciplinary order. The party has succeeded in punishing men who were no longer members.
The other five who joined the BJP were Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Mayralborn Syiem, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh.
The defections cut the UDP’s strength in the Assembly from 12 to four. The BJP’s numbers rose from two to ten.
No resignation letter. No waiting period. Just a switch to the BJP. The three men are now BJP legislators carrying a UDP suspension. The administrative circle is complete, if slightly late.
Meghalaya politics has apparently added a second ending to the same story.
