NPP chief Conrad K Sangma stakes claim to form govt in Meghalaya; ally BJP says 34 MLAs backing him

National People’s Party leader Conrad Sangma has staked claim to form the next government in Meghalaya amid moves by other parties to keep NPP and BJP out of power. Sangma has claimed the support of 34 MLAs out of 59 and is likely to take oath next Tuesday, according to some politicians. Sangma told mediapersons, “I have signatures of 32 MLAs and it will further increase. They include 26 of NPP, two BJP, two HSPDP and two independents.”

However, newly elected MLAs of United Democratic Party (UDP), Congress, Trinamool Congress, People’s Democratic Party (PDF) and Voice of the People Party met at the residence of home minister Lahkmen Rymbui. Trinamool leader Mukul Sangma, who was present in the meeting, hinted at new equations to stop NPP from coming to power with BJP support. HSPDP MLAs Methodius Dkhar and Shakliar Warjri did not attend the opposition meeting, despite directives from their party chief. Some groups have announced protests against the two.

HSPDP president KP Pangniang said that two MLAs went against the party wish and extended support to the NPP to form the government. “The mandate is for change,” Mukul Sangma said after the meeting, “We are in talks with every political party except the NPP and BJP. All have expressed their desire to come along in the interest of the state,” he said.


While the UDP has bagged 11 seats the Congress and Trinamool have won five seats each, Voice of the People Party four seats, and the People's Democratic Front two seats.

Two independent candidates have also emerged victorious.

The BJP MLAs accompanied the NPP chief to Raj Bhavan in Shillong.