Fmr Meghalaya CM Mukul Sangma adds a new twist, says in talks with other parties to form govt

TMC leader Mukul Sangma who has served as Meghalaya CM from 2010 to 2018 as a Congress politician has said that he is in touch with non-NPP, non-BJP political leaders

At a time when everyone thought that the stage is all set for MDA 2.0 with NPP-UDP and BJP forming the government in Meghalaya for a second term, former Meghalaya Chief Minister and TMC leader Mukul Sangma has sprung a surprise and added a twist to the political scene in the hill state by stating that he is in touch with political leaders barring those from the NPP and BJP.
Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, the political heavyweight said:

Q: Are You reaching out to the other parties or are they reaching out to You?

A: I am talking to leaders of all the regional parties. I am talking to all the independents. I have talked to the Independents yesterday also. I have told them look’You have been given the mandate, but along with this mandate there comes huge responsibility. The responsibility towards the state towards the larger good of the people, nothing else. Therefore please remember that now the onus of responsibility to give frison to this desire of the people is upon us.

Q: Lastly, Sir is there any chances of whatever You are saying about the theory of all the parties coming together and forming the government.

A:100%

Q: So, Mukul Sangma is going to turn the table?

A: Not Mukul Sangma, but the people of the state, because the people of the state has given the mandate and alongwith this mandate comes a huge responsibility of protecting the interests of the people, protecting the interests of the state.

Q: You are sounding right now also of confident forming the government?

A: See, we have always been motivated and inspired by the result of the people themselves. Now what is the result of the people. You look at the vote share. You look at the vote share of the people who wanted the government to be out. Okay there are some, whatever factors You will know when You go to Ground Zero, I have told You, other than there is no other factor, which has inabled them to cobble up this number, by default.

Though TMC managed to get just 5 seats in the just concluded elections for the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly, TMC still stands a chance to form the government if parties like the UDP, Congress, HSPDP, PDF, VPP and the two Independents who won the elections, decide to join hands with it.

Here is how the math might work out for Mukul Sangma and TMC, a new entrant in the political scene of Meghalaya – TMC won 5, UDP – 11, Congress – 5, VPP – 4, HSPDP – 2, UDF – 2, Independent – 2, this adds up to 31, the majority number required to form the government in the 60-member Assembly.

The VPP, another new party to have contested the polls for the first time in Meghalaya this time have told Northeast Live that they would not align with the NPP.

As far the NPP-BJP-UDP tally is concerned it is – NPP -26, UDP -11 and BJP 2, adding up to 39. However, UDP is keeping its cards close to its chest and has not made any statement so far regarding who it would ally with.

Meanwhile, NPP’s Conrad Sangma met the Governor and has staked claim to form the government with the support of the BJP and one independent candidate. Conrad is short by two MLAs. It remains to be seen who these two crucial MLAs are going to be. Conrad has tendered his resignation as the CM as part of the formalities.

COMMENTS