Conrad Sangma to take oath as Meghalaya CM on Tuesday
National People's Party (NPP) leader Conrad Sangma is set to be sworn in as Meghalaya chief minister on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to attend. Sangma-led NPP emerged as the single largest party in the recently concluded state Assembly election. On Friday, he reportedly submitted his resignation to Meghalaya Governor Phagu Chauhan and staked a claim to form a new administration.
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With this, Sagma will become the chief minister of Meghalaya for the second consecutive term. On Thursday, the NPP emerged as the single-largest party in the state, securing 26 seats out of the 59 constituencies. The United Democratic Party (UDP), an ally of NPP in the last government, emerged as the second-largest party with 11 constituencies.
Have absolute majority with 32 MLAs: Sangma
Sangma, who has reconciled with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a pre-election split, claimed that his party has an "absolute majority" with 32 MLAs on their side in the 60-member Assembly. Before leaving for Raj Bhawan, he said at a conference: "We have an absolute majority. The BJP has already extended its support. Some others have also given their support."
29 newly elected MLAs were present at Raj Bhawan: Report
Per the news agency ANI, 29 newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) along with Sangma were present at Raj Bhawan, of which 26 MLAs are from NPP, one Independent MLA, and two are MLAs from BJP. To note, Sangma defeated BJP's Bernard N. Marak by 5,016 votes to win from the South Tura constituency, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Sarma reveals Sangma's talks with Amit Shah
On Thursday, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claimed that his Meghalaya counterpart phoned Union Home Minister Amit Shah to seek support in forming a government in Meghalaya. Taking to Twitter, Sarma wrote: "Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma called Amit Shah ji, Hon'ble Home Minister and sought his support and blessings in forming the new Government."
Nadda advised BJP's Meghalaya unit to support NPP: Sarma
Sarma also revealed that the BJP national president advised the party's Meghalaya unit to support NPP. "Adaraniya Sri JP Nadda ji has advised the state unit of BJP, Meghalaya to support the National People's Party in forming the next government in a possible post-poll alliance, as the latest counting trends pointed to the likelihood of a hung Assembly," Sarma said.
Shah's previous comments on breaking coalition with NPP
It is worth noting that while addressing a rally in North Tura on February 16, Shah claimed that the saffron brigade broke away from his coalition with the NPP right before the Meghalaya elections to contest all the Assembly seats alone and emerge stronger.
