Shillong: In a major political development, Meghalaya’s lone remaining Congress legislator, Ronnie V Lyngdoh, joined the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), effectively ending the Congress party’s presence in the state assembly.
Lyngdoh, who represents the Mylliem constituency, submitted a formal letter of merger to Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma. He was accompanied by senior NPP leaders, including Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, who confirmed Lyngdoh’s induction into the party.
“Ronnie V Lyngdoh has officially joined the NPP today,” Dhar told reporters.
The Congress had secured five seats in the 2023 assembly elections. Over time, its strength steadily dwindled.
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Saleng A Sangma was elected to the Lok Sabha from Tura earlier this year, while three other MLAs—Celestine Lyngdoh (Umsning), Gabriel Wahlang (Nongstoin), and Charles Marngar (Mawhati)—merged with the NPP in August 2024, a move later validated under the anti-defection law.
Lyngdoh’s entry into the NPP raises the ruling party’s tally to 32 in the 60-member House, further consolidating its control over the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition government.
With this development, the Indian National Congress has lost all legislative representation in the Meghalaya Assembly.
