SHILLONG : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday ruled out any threat to the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government following the decision of eight United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Chief Minister also said the BJP had not sought additional Cabinet berths following the development.
The BJP’s strength in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly has increased from two to 10 after eight UDP MLAs joined the party in New Delhi on Wednesday, making it the second-largest constituent of the MDA after the National People’s Party (NPP).
Sangma said the decision of the eight MLAs was between the legislators and the respective political parties and had nothing to do with the NPP.
“It is a decision between two political parties, it is the decision of the respective MLAs. It has nothing to do with the NPP as such,” Sangma told reporters.
He said the strength of the ruling coalition remained intact as the BJP continued to be part of the coalition.
“The strength of the coalition remains the same because it is very much within the coalition, so therefore it does not disturb the overall functioning of our government,” he said.
Sangma added that the government had a simple majority in the House and expressed confidence that its functioning would continue as usual.
However, he acknowledged that the movement of MLAs from one coalition partner to another could lead to concerns between the two political parties.
“Of course, there will be some concerns between the two political parties because MLAs from one party have left and joined another political party,” he said.
On the reasons behind the MLAs’ decision to join the BJP, Sangma said that was something he could not comment on.
Asked whether the development would lead to a Cabinet reshuffle, the Chief Minister said it would not affect the existing arrangement.
“I have already made it very clear, this will not affect anything,” he said.
On whether the BJP had demanded additional Cabinet seats following the increase in its strength, Sangma replied:
“No, they have not asked anything.”
Sangma also ruled out any immediate threat to his leadership following the BJP’s expansion in Meghalaya.
“No, there is no threat as of now,” he said.
The Chief Minister said it was natural for political parties to seek to expand their presence and added that the NPP would continue working to strengthen its base.
“Every political party has the desire to grow and in a democracy and in politics, every party will aspire,” he said.
Sangma added that the NPP would continue to work towards increasing its representation while maintaining its own political identity.
“We always fight on our own terms, as our own identity and that will continue in the future,” he said.