Guwahati: Meghalaya Chief Minister-designate Conrad Sangma has asked all associated parties in the state to cooperate with a “positive mindset”.
Sangma also thanked the United Democratic Party and People’s Democratic Front for helping the National People’s Party establish the government after his party’s attempt to win the majority in the Meghalaya Assembly elections earlier this month fell short. The elections were held this month.
“I appeal to all parties that the election is over and now we need to move forward with the real work. I request all parties that let us all work with a positive mindset…I thank UDP and PDF for accepting my request and giving support to NPP-led Govt,” he said.
The chief minister-designate also informed that the alliance comprising NPP, BJP, UDP, and PDF will be known as Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-2.0.
“The alliance will be known as Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-2.0, all agreed as the partners are the same. We have decided to elect the Chief Minister as the Chairman of the MDA-2 as well,” Sangma said.
Furthermore, he announced the distribution of cabinet seats among the various coalition members and predicted that the NPP will receive the majority of those seats.
“In the cabinet out of the 12 members, 8 will go to The National People’s party, 2 will go to United Democratic Party, 1 to Hill State People’s Democratic Party and 1 to BJP,” he said.
The National People’s Party (NPP) in Meghalaya’s ally parties met on Monday in Shillong, where the decision was taken.
The regional United Democratic Party (UDP) on Sunday pledged its support for the NPP-BJP coalition, putting an end to the drama that had developed in the wake of the election results.
According to Metbah Lyngdoh, president of UDP, NPP has the backing of UDP in forming the government.
“We (UDP and PDF) have extended our support to NPP,” Metbah Lyngdoh said on Sunday.
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 for a consecutive second term on March 7 after being elected the NPP legislature party leader.
NPP has previously received backing from the BJP, two HSPDP MLAs, and two Independent MLAs.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Raj Bhawan in Shillong with the participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.