The twists and turns in the Meghalaya political arena seem far from over, with the Opposition parties now reportedly gearing up to stake claim to form a non-BJP government. Former Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma and TMC leader on Friday said that an alliance of Opposition parties was being formed to help prevent "misrule and plundering" in the state.
"People of the state have given a fractured mandate. This mandate is for a change...Rest of the political parties must understand that along with this mandate comes a responsibility to come and work together for the larger good of people," Mukul Sangma said.
He was speaking after a meet of Opposition parties in Meghalaya. All parties, except the BJP and the NPP, were at the meeting, Sangma said. President of the United Democratic Party (UDP), which is the second-largest party in Meghalaya now, Metbah Lyngdoh said that he had convened the meeting of the Opposition parties. He said: "I've been approached by all political parties who don't want to be a part of the new government under NPP. They felt that all new members should sit and see if we have the majority. So, I invited them. All 31 of them were present."
Sangma was quoted as saying by news agency ANI: "All parties are sensitive to responsibilities vested upon us. We are aware of our responsibilities that comes with the mandate. Therefore, this meeting discussed the need to come together and stand firm in our commitment to ensure that the state is not subjected again to that kind of misrule and unprecedented plundering."
He said that the name of the alliance is yet to be decided but resolve to come together has been finalised. "Certain things will be further discussed and when we submit our claim, you'll understand that other events will unfold. Don't worry about numbers; We know how to get the numbers. Numbers can be claimed and counter-claimed. You have to go and see what's happening everywhere, in every camp," he said.
Meanwhile, National People's Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma met Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan and submitted a letter of support from 32 MLAs to form the government in the state. Conrad Sangma claimed that he has the support of BJP, HSPDP and two Independent MLAs, with the total tally expected to increase in the coming days as he is in talks with other parties. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place on March 7 at 11 am, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirming his presence.
The NPP won 26 of the 59 seats in the state elections held on February 27, making it the largest party in the state. The UDP won 11 constituencies, emerging as the second-largest party. The BJP, HSPDP and PDF won two seats each, while the TMC and Congress won five seats each. Two independent candidates were also elected, and the newly formed VPP won four seats.
The political twists in Meghalaya started last year when NPP announced that it would fight the elections solo, but remain in the BJP-led NDA. The BJP, in turn, mounted an offensive during the campaigns, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah calling NPP chief and Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma corrupt.
However, right in the last leg of the counting of votes on Thursday, BJP leader and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the saffron party's national president JP Nadda had advised an alliance with the NPP. Conrad Sangma, too, called Amit Shah for his "blessings and support".
(With inputs from PTI.)