SHILLONG, Sept 6: Former Meghalaya MLA and senior United Democratic Party (UDP) leader Jemino Mawthoh has announced that he will join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with his supporters on September 12.
Mawthoh, who resigned from the UDP in May after serving as its vice-president and general secretary for several years, said he took the decision after meeting his supporters on Saturday.
He said the BJP had approached him several times since 2020-21, but he had avoided making a hurried political move.
“I was approached by the BJP earlier as well. In fact, feelers were coming since 2020-21, but I did not want to rush as a political decision should be very conscious,” Mawthoh said.
He is scheduled to formally join the BJP at the party’s state office in Shillong on September 12.
His move comes amid political speculation in Meghalaya, including reports that nine of the UDP’s 12 MLAs could switch to the BJP ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
