Shillong, Sept. 23 -- In a major political twist in Meghalaya, the United Democratic Party (UDP) on Wednesday suspended three of its MLAs - Kyrmen Shylla, Ollan Singh Suin and Matthew Beyondstar Kurbah - after they allegedly announced their decision to join another political party.

The action came on the same day the three legislators were among eight UDP MLAs who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), triggering a major shift in the political equations in the state.

Reacting to the switch, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma said the decision to switch was of the MLAs.

"It is the decision of the respective MLAs. It has nothing to do with the National People's Party (NPP) as such. As I said, it is entirely the desire and decision of the MLAs,...