Shillong, Sep 23 (PTI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government would remain unaffected by eight UDP legislators joining the BJP.
Both the BJP and United Democratic Party (UDP) are constituents of the MDA. With eight of the UDP legislators, including a minister, switching sides, the BJP’s strength in the 60-member assembly increased from two to 10.
Sangma told reporters here that the development in Delhi was a matter between the two political parties and had nothing to do with the NPP or the functioning of the MDA government.
“It is a decision of individual MLAs. So, I have nothing to comment on this,” said Sangma, also the president of the National People’s Party (NPP).
He said that the strength of the ruling coalition remains the same because the change of party has happened within the coalition.
Sangma said the government continued to enjoy a comfortable majority in the 60-member Assembly and expressed confidence that its functioning would remain unaffected.
“We still have a very strong majority in the House, and we are confident that everything will remain as it is,” he said.
Asked whether the political development could lead to differences between the UDP and BJP, Sangma said there could naturally be concerns between the two parties following the legislators’ move.
“There will be concerns between the two political parties because MLAs from one party have left and joined another. Why they joined and what their intention is, that is something I cannot comment on,” he said.
On whether the change in party strength would lead to a reshuffle of ministers, Sangma said, “I have already made it very clear. This will not affect anything.”
The UDP has two ministers in the Cabinet and one of them, Lahkmen Rymbui, is among the eight who joined the BJP. The saffron party has one minister in the state where the assembly election is scheduled to be held in 2028.
Asked whether the BJP had sought an increase in its share of ministerial berths, he replied, “No, they have not asked for anything.”
Sangma also dismissed suggestions that the BJP’s increased strength could pose a threat to his leadership in the future.
“No, there is no threat as of now. Every political party wants to grow. In a democracy, every party has aspirations. We aspire to grow in every state. We have worked hard in Manipur and other states. This is how it normally works,” he said.
UDP legislators Lahkmen Rymbui, Pius Marwein, Kyrmen Shylla, Mayralborn Syiem, Matthew Kurbah, Ollan Singh Suin, Balajied Kupar Synrem and Synshar Kupar Roy joined the BJP in New Delhi. PTI JOP NN
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