In a major boost to the National People’s Party and its allies in Meghalaya before the formation of a new government, four more MLAs - two from the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) and two independent candidates - have extended their support, taking its tally to 32 members.
NPP national chief and newly elected parliamentary party leader Conrad K Sangma on Friday submitted signatures of 32 MLAs and letters of support to Governor Phagu Chauhan after he had invited the NPP, being the single largest party, to form the government in the state.
Of these, 26 are from NPP, two each from BJP and HSPDP and two independent candidates.
“I have formally submitted to the Governor the written support and signatures of all the 32 MLAs for the NPP-led government,” Sangma, who also resigned as chief minister, told reporters after meeting the governor on Friday.
The NPP leader said he was unofficially informed that the swearing in ceremony of the council of ministers will be held on March 7. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to be present in the swearing-in ceremony.
As to who will be chief minister, Sangma said, “The letter of support has mentioned the support to the Conrad K Sangma-led government. So based on the support that I am getting from the 32 MLAs the governor will formally invite me to form the government.”
He informed them that they will soon sit to take a call on the name of the new alliance.
Sangma also claimed that the number of MLAs may go up as the NPP is in touch with other political parties and said, “We will be meeting some of them right after this meeting”.
On the UDP’s decision to distance itself from his party, the NPP chief said, “The MLAs have their liberty to decide how they want to move forward so that is their decision. I have no comments.”
The HSPDP has alleged that its two MLAs – Shakliar Warjri (Mawthadraishan) and Methodius Dkhar (Mawshynrut) – have gone missing from a meeting with other political parties – UDP, TMC, Congress and VPP and are clueless about their whereabouts.
When asked, Sangma however said, “They (two HSPDP MLAs) met me at an official capacity. You must have seen in the photographs also that they have happily, with free hands, given the letter of support to me.”
Terming post-counting violent incidents reported in different parts of the state as very unfortunate, Sangma said, “It shouldn’t have happened. We understand the sentiments. Of course, people are very emotional at this point in time so a lot of violence took place in different locations but things are as of now under control.”
Meanwhile, Sangma said that the party has worked committedly for the people in the last five years and the victory is because people have given the party the opportunity to move forward.
