India

Paul Lyngdoh Rejoins Cabinet as NPP Minister After UDP Collapse

By David Laitphlang

In Meghalaya, former UDP member Paul Lyngdoh has been sworn in as a cabinet minister for the Conrad K Sangma government, representing the National People’s Party (NPP). The West Shillong legislator, who left the UDP for the NPP along with two colleagues, was appointed to the tourism portfolio by Governor C.H. Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan on Monday evening. He had previously held the tourism ministry before being dropped in a September 2025 reshuffle.

The appointment follows the resignation of UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh from the cabinet on October 31. Metbah, who held the power, water resources, taxation and textiles portfolios, submitted his resignation to Chief Minister Sangma after the UDP was reduced to a single legislator. He said he could no longer continue as a minister and that further decisions would be taken by the party.

The UDP originally won 12 seats in the 2023 assembly elections. Since September, 11 of its 12 legislators have left the party: eight joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and three moved to the NPP. The BJP’s strength increased from two to 10 seats, while the NPP’s rose from 33 to 36. The UDP is now left with only Metbah as its sole MLA.

Metbah had earlier expressed surprise at the mass exodus and said the party would prepare for the 2028 assembly elections. He stated that his resignation was not taken under pressure and that the party’s Central Executive Committee would decide the UDP’s future support for the MDA government at its November 3 meeting.

Paul Lyngdoh said he had neither demanded nor suggested a particular portfolio. He noted that the chief minister wanted continuity in the tourism department and asked him to take charge. He will focus on restoring the department, consulting stakeholders, reviewing tourism projects and strengthening safety arrangements for visitors and residents.

The UDP’s future political course, including its role within the ruling MDA coalition, will be discussed at the upcoming party meeting, while Paul’s return marks a new chapter in Meghalaya’s regional party landscape.