The BJP has made a return to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, nearly a decade after it first entered the Council in 2016. The latest political shift follows the defection of eight UDP MLAs to the BJP in New Delhi on Wednesday. Two of them — Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah of Nongspung-Sohiong and Pius Marwein of Langrin — are sitting KHADC MDCs. Their move has reduced the UDP’s strength in the 29-member Council from five MDCs to three. The remaining UDP MDCs are Leader of the Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne, Barikupar Synrem and Equator Nongrang. The VPP continues to control the KHADC. Meanwhile, there is speculation that Barikupar Synrem, brother of newly inducted BJP MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem, could also join the BJP. No formal announcement has been made so far.