Shillong: Just 36 hours before the swearing-in ceremony of the National People’s Party (NPP)-led coalition government in Meghalaya, the drama that unfolded in the capital comes to an end with the regional United Democratic Party (UDP) extending support to the NPP-BJP alliance, office of the NPP and sources in UDP confirmed to ThePrint.
The development came around 6pm when murmurs about UDP’s support spread in Shillong. Along with UDP, the two elected representatives of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) also returned to the Sangma camp Sunday morning.
The strength of the Conrad Sangma-led coalition has now increased to 45 and he is likely to be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Meghalaya after being elected the NPP legislature party leader.
The two Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) leaders, whose support to the NPP created a future in town, remain part of the coalition along with the two Independents. The 2018 coalition government comprising the regional parties and BJP now remain intact and poised to take charge as Meghalaya Democratic Alliance 2.0.
The two Letters of Support signed by UDP President Metbah Lyngdoh and PDF President Gavin M. Mylliem, copies of which are available with ThePrint, were submitted to Conrad Sangma at the chief minister’s Bungalow.
Former CM and TMC leader Mukul Sangma, along with four of his party legislators, will have to settle in the Opposition benches along with five Congressmen and four elected representatives of the Voice of People’s Party (VPP).
The letter of support signed by UDP President Metbah Lyngdoh was submitted to Conrad Sangma by the party vice-president Allantry F. Dkhar in presence of other party leaders. Before meeting Sangma, the UDP president is said to have informed the Congress, TMC and VPP of their decision.
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