Shillong, Feb 24 : Dealing a blow to the Opposition Congress, an independent MLA who was part of the Opposition Meghalaya United Alliance, switched allegiance and joined the ruling NCP-led Meghalaya Progressive Alliance.

Independent Legislator Limison Sangma met Chief Minister Donkupar Roy Monday night and informed him of the decision to support the ruling alliance.

With Sangma joining MPA, the strength of the ruling coalition in the current 59-member Assembly has gone up from 32 to 33 while the number of Legislators of Congress-led Opposition has been reduced to 26 from 27.

By-poll to the Umroi seat, which fell vacant after the demise of EK Mawlong, is slated for February 26.

Sangma, who represents Tikrikilla constituency in the Assembly, told reporters that he took the decision to join MPA after consultation with his supporters and workers.

Sangma said after sitting in the Opposition for almost a year and observing the development activities undertaken by the MPA government, especially in Garo Hills, he decided to shift allegiance to the ruling alliance.

Sangma hoped that his decision to support the government would result in further development of his constituency.

A Congress spokesman neither confirmed nor denied the development, but said, they were yet to get any official communication from the MLA.