SHILLONG:
Come election time in Meghalaya and it seems like the football transfer window has opened.
Politicians change their jerseys for new parties like footballers for new clubs.
The state goes to polls early next year.
While it is too early for legislators to make known their choice of parties for the 2023 election due to the anti-defection law, members of district councils have already changed parties due to absence of a law against jumping ship midway through their tenure.
Of late there are reports that NPP MDC from Laban-Mawprem, Mitchell Wankhar, will switch to the UDP.
The National People’s Party (NPP) has so far managed to rope in six Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) MDCs — Lamphrang Blah, Bajop Pyngrope and Fantin J Lakadong of the Congress, Teibor Pathaw of the UDP, Macdalyn S Mawlong of the PDF and Grace Mary Kharpuri independent MDC.
In the House of 30, the ruling coalition United Democratic Alliance consisting of NPP has 12 MDCs.
The UDP has eight MDCs after it recently inducted Balajied Rani Congress MDC from Nongpoh.
The UDP, which is leading the coalition, has Titosstar W Chyne as the Chief Executive Member. The HSPDP has two and there are three independent MDCs – Lambor Malngiang, Latiplang Kharkongor and Batskhem Ryntathiang.
The Congress, which is in the opposition, suffered the most losses with most of its MDCs quitting the party leaving it with only five.