Shillong: Jemino Mawthoh is ending his 15-month political hiatus. The former UDP heavyweight will officially join the BJP on September 12. He spent over a year consulting supporters and negotiating with party leadership at both state and central levels before making his move. The veteran regionalist now bets that closer ties to New Delhi will fix Meghalaya’s persistent problems.
Mawthoh served as the general secretary of the United Democratic Party before stepping back. He kept lines of communication open with BJP central leaders even before the 2023 Assembly elections. He waited to commit until he could properly gauge the state. "After studying the state of affairs in Meghalaya, I feel that as of now, this is the right party to be part of," Mawthoh said.
The move aims to secure more financial support for the state. Mawthoh rejects the Hindutva label that critics often use to push the party away from the Christian-majority region. He argues the state has not faced those specific ideological problems. Growth will come through engagement. "Acceptance will come only when we start working and deliberating on the different issues," he added.
Mawthoh expects to bring a contingent of supporters with him to the induction ceremony. He refused to comment on rumors that other UDP figures might follow his lead, citing a lack of communication with his former party members. The BJP hopes Mawthoh provides the intellectual and grassroots backing they need to gain ground in the Khasi Hills.
Updated at 6th September 2026 at 2:01pm
Mawthoh held the title of vice-president during his long tenure with the UDP. He clarified that the BJP first dangled the bait as far back as 2020 or 2021, but he refused to rush into a deal. He waited for a conscious decision, rejecting earlier overtures to avoid a frantic switch.
The move stokes tension within the UDP, as chatter grows that nine of the party's 12 sitting MLAs might jump ship before the 2028 polls. Mawthoh deflected questions on these rumors, noting he hasn't talked to his former colleagues and remains in the dark about their internal plans.
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