SHILLONG: From the stunning rise of the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to the complete political eclipse of the Congress, Meghalaya’s political landscape in 2025 was anything but predictable. As the year draws to a close, it is evident that voter sentiment is shifting, old loyalties are crumbling, and new power centres are emerging—reshaping the state’s political narrative.
Elections & Shifts in Political Power
VPP’s Breakthrough in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council
What began as a modest presence of just four MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly turned into a political statement of intent when the VPP stormed to power in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Held on February 21, 2025, the KHADC elections marked a turning point and brought major change. The VPP clinched 17 of the 29 seats, decisively unseating the ruling National People’s Party (NPP). The verdict was clear: tribal voters were looking beyond established players and rewarding a party that projected itself as a strong, vocal regional alternative. The landslide victory signalled not just a win for VPP, but a warning to traditional parties that complacency would no longer be tolerated.
JHADC: NPP Holds Ground, But Not Firmly
In contrast, the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections offered a more cautious mandate. The NPP emerged as the single largest party with 13 seats, but fell short of a majority. Governance here became a matter of negotiations and alliances, underscoring the increasingly fragmented political mood of the electorate.
Congress: From Decline to Disappearance
If 2025 belonged to any party’s downfall, it was the Indian National Congress. The final nail came when Ronnie V. Lyngdoh, the party’s lone MLA, crossed over to the NPP—rendering the Congress completely absent from the Assembly.
While the move shocked few political observers, it was deeply symbolic. The “last man standing” walking away summed up the Congress’ steady erosion in Meghalaya. Once a dominant force, the party’s absence from the House of 60 now stands as a stark reminder of how quickly political relevance can fade.
NPP Tightens Its Grip
The NPP, meanwhile, played its cards shrewdly. A steady stream of defections—mostly from the Congress—helped the ruling party secure an absolute majority in the Assembly this year. While critics may question the ethics of power gained through defections, the political reality is undeniable: the NPP today sits firmly in control of the state’s power structure.
However, the party’s leadership is aware that the battle is far from over. With the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections approaching, the NPP is working overtime to consolidate its base in the Garo Hills—both at the state and council levels. The coming months will test whether its dominance can translate into grassroots support.
Government Formation & Cabinet Moves
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma continued to recalibrate his government through cabinet expansion and reshuffles. New ministers were inducted, portfolios were reallocated, and coalition partners—UDP, BJP, and HSPDP—were accommodated to maintain balance within the government.
The September 2025 cabinet reshuffle, however, was not without controversy. Senior leaders like Ampareen Lyngdoh (NPP) and Paul Lyngdoh (UDP) publicly expressed displeasure, claiming they were blindsided by their removal. Yet, Meghalaya politics being what it is, discontent was short-lived. Within weeks, the dropped ministers were reappointed as advisers to key departments—proving once again that political disagreements in the state often end in negotiated peace.
Broader Political Trends
Perhaps the most defining trend of 2025 was the rise of regionalism. The VPP’s success highlighted a growing appetite for strong regional voices, while older regional parties like the UDP and HSPDP showed signs of fatigue and declining influence.
This sentiment was echoed beyond state borders. Discussions around forming a larger regional political platform for the Northeast gained momentum, reflecting a collective desire to assert regional interests more forcefully at the national level.
This is where the “One Northeast, One Voice” campaign came into focus—an initiative led by the Conrad Sangma–headed NPP in Meghalaya, the Pradyot Manikya–led Tipra Motha Party in Tripura, along with several prominent tribal leaders, including Daniel Langthasa, founder of the People’s Party from Assam’s Dima Hasao district.
The campaign reflects Chief Minister Sangma’s vision of fostering unity across the eight Northeastern states, promoting inclusive development, and ensuring the protection of indigenous communities and their rights.
Looking Ahead
As Meghalaya steps into 2026, the political message from 2025 is unmistakable: voters are restless, loyalties are fluid, and power is no longer guaranteed by legacy alone. The rise of the VPP, the consolidation of the NPP, and the disappearance of the Congress have set the stage for a fiercely competitive political future—one where adaptability may matter more than tradition.
