Shillong: Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma met governor Chandrashekhar H Vijayashankar at the Lok Bhavan in Shillong on Saturday amid reports that eight of the 12 United Democratic Party (UDP) MLAs are planning to join BJP.Sangma, who heads the ruling National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) 2.0 govt, held a meeting with the governor for about an hour. During the meeting, Sangma briefed the governor on the political developments and their possible impact on the state’s power equation.NPP commands an absolute majority with 33 legislators in the 60-member Meghalaya assembly. UDP, with 12 MLAs, is the second-largest constituent of the MDA 2.0, while BJP, with two legislators, is a minor ally.Political observers said the development could lead to a realignment within the ruling coalition and give BJP a greater role in power-sharing in the Christian-majority state.Olan Sing Suin, one of the eight ‘rebel’ UDP legislators, had said on Friday that the move to join BJP could “happen anytime” if their demands were addressed by the party at the Centre.The MLA said the “mission” of the eight UDP legislators was to join BJP if their demands, including the constitutional recognition of the Khasi language and other issues of importance, were fulfilled. “Anything can happen any day, and we want to accomplish our mission,” Suin said.Former minister and senior UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh also hinted at efforts by the party’s MLAs to join BJP.On the other hand, senior BJP leader and Pynthorumkhrah MLA Alexander Laloo Hek called on Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi recently. The meeting is believed to have focused on the possibility of strengthening BJP’s position in Meghalaya by inducting UDP legislators.
