SHILLONG:
The United Democratic Party (UDP) on January 18 officially inducted five former MLAs into its fold at a function held at its office party.
Cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (Mawkyrwat), Shitlang Pale (Saipung-Sutnga), Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh), Lambor Malngiang (Nongkrem), Process T. Sawkmie (Mawlai) joined the UDP at a function attended by UDP their supporters.
Earlier in the day, the five of them tendered their resignation as MLAs to the Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Metbah Lyngdoh.
Tongkhar defected from Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), Pale who was earlier a suspended Congress member moved from Trinamool Congress to UDP, the other suspended Congress members were Syiem and Sawkmie while Malngiang is an Independent candidate.
NPP MDC of Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) Arbor Hima Darnei from Saipung also joined the UDP on the same day. Former MDCs and an independent candidate who contested the JHADC elections joined the UDP.
The party also launched its website and released a UDP song in Khasi and Garo languages.