Bharatiya Janata Party's 'Operation Lotus' seems to be gaining tremendous momentum in the politics of Meghalaya. BJP, which currently has only two MLAs in the 60-member Assembly, may suddenly reach the figure of 15. According to reports quoting sources, a total of 13 MLAs, including 9 sitting MLAs from the United Democratic Party (UDP) and 4 from Mamata Banerjee's party Trinamool Congress (TMC), are all set to join the BJP.
Senior leaders of the state BJP have confirmed that direct talks are going on with the top leadership at the central level regarding this major political reshuffle. It is being told that former Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma is also included in the TMC faction joining BJP. In the current assembly, UDP has 12 MLAs and TMC has 4 MLAs. Many of these prominent MLAs had recently met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi.
Dissatisfaction deepens in UDP due to cabinet reshuffle
There was widespread discontent within the UDP, an ally in the National People's Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government, ever since the cabinet reshuffle in September 2025. The factional war within the party has intensified after the removal of Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh and the inclusion of party president Metbah Lyngdoh in the cabinet. This rift has come to the fore just before the upcoming assembly elections of 2028.
UDP sources have also not ruled out the possibility of such a political move. A senior party leader, on condition of anonymity, said that he neither confirms nor denies the news. If there is to be a split in the party, it will happen. If the MLAs have sufficient numbers to avoid the anti-defection law, then no one can stop them. However, Paul Lyngdoh acknowledged the initial rumors but said he did not have enough information.
BJP confirmed talks with central leaders
On the other hand, a senior BJP leader from Meghalaya says that the state unit president had earlier invited UDP MLAs, but now these MLAs are directly in touch with central leaders in Delhi. He made it clear that at present he does not want to make any speculations and will wait for the results at the right time. Let us tell you that at present BJP has only two MLAs in Meghalaya Assembly – Alexander Lalu Hek and Sanbor Shullai. Sanbor Shullai is a cabinet minister in the state government. According to BJP leaders, the main goal of the party in the 2028 elections is to form a government under its leadership in the state.
About two weeks ago, a high-level delegation of eight UDP members led by Education Minister Lahakmen Rymbui had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Northeast in-charge and MP Sambit Patra was also present in this important meeting. Officially, important issues like FCRA Amendment Bill, Inner Line Permit (ILP), Resident Protection Act, inclusion of Khasi-Garo languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, uranium mining and recognition of native beliefs were raised in the meeting. However, insiders claim that during this period there was also a serious discussion about a possible merger with BJP.
What does the mathematics of the assembly say?
If 9 MLAs of UDP and 4 of TMC join BJP, then BJP will directly gain 13 new MLAs. Under the Anti-Defection Law, to save the legislature and avoid disqualification, it will be necessary for at least 8 UDP MLAs and at least 3 TMC MLAs to change sides simultaneously. If this math holds true, then the total number of BJP MLAs will directly increase from 2 to 15. With this, BJP will become the second largest ally in this ruling alliance, which position is currently held by UDP.
It is also worth noting that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma's party NPP alone has 33 MLAs, which means it can run the government with absolute majority even without any help. In such a situation, CM Conrad Sangma can avoid any major changes in the current government structure keeping in mind the 2028 elections. Anyway, NPP is an ally of NDA at the centre.
However, the path to Meghalaya is not so easy for BJP. The UDP has always been quite vocal on local issues, especially on the demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), which the central government has opposed. In such a situation, it will be a big challenge for the MLAs who have joined BJP to adjust to BJP's stand on local sensitive issues.