Three Congress MLAs Join Meghalaya's NPP

In a significant political shift in Meghalaya, three out of four Congress MLAs—Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, Charles Marngar, and Gabriel Wahlang—joined the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), boosting its strength to 31 in the 60-member assembly and solidifying its majority. The defections occurred despite a last-minute effort by the Congress to retain its members, which included suspending two of the defectors. This development leaves the Congress with only one MLA, RV Lyngdoh, as the opposition's presence diminishes significantly. The NPP, which leads a coalition government with the UDP and BJP, now controls 47 seats in total. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma welcomed the new members, emphasizing the party's commitment to development in the state. This shift marks the third major blow to the Congress in recent years, following previous defections to other parties.