SHILLONG, MAR 3: An attempt to form a non NPP-BJP government failed to sail through with the exit of two HSPDP legislators, who have extended support to the NPP to form the new government in the state.
UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh told reporters that 31 MLAs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Voice of the People Party (VPP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and one Independent have expressed support to the UDP to form the new government.
“It was the wish of everybody that a government led by a regional force should be formed in the state,” he said while informing that the meeting held with the different political parties has decided that one person from each party will be there to take forward the discussion on the matter.
The UDP chief however said that the meeting with the other political parties did not discuss staking a claim to form the government after two-three members could not be present. The meeting had also not discussed the issue pertaining to the chief minister post.
However, the two HSPDP MLAs were found missing after they came out of the meeting and went to extend support to the NPP for forming the new government.
On this, Lyngdoh however said, “That is their wish, I have nothing to say. That is the decision of each and every member, they can take any decision they want but at the end of the day those who have come who are with us that only I can say.”
The Mairang legislator said that the HSPDP legislators had not expressed any kind of sentiments that they are not comfortable to work with the Congress and the TMC.
Lyngdoh maintained that the UDP will have to sit in the opposition if they don’t get the number and said, “We will be sitting as a party again to decide on this matter”.
When asked, the UDP chief said that the NPP has not approached the party for support.
“It is not that we decided to go or not to go (with the NPP) but all those who wish to be together have expressed their opinions that we would like to be together,” he added.
VPP chief Ardent Basaiawmoit said that the purpose of the meeting of all the political parties was to explore the possibilities to form a government without the NPP.
“There is a feeling that we would like a non BJP- NPP government but our first and foremost is to see that NPP is not there in the government,” he said. He said that he is yet to confirm whether the HSPDP MLAs are really missing but they have 28 MLAs in their camp.
Congress leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh said, “All the parties have come together to ensure that we have a government that will serve the people.”
He claimed that they have the numbers to form the new government.
On NPP staking claim to form the government, Ronnie said, “Since they are the largest single that is the responsibility of the Governor to invite but then just inviting I think is not the end of the process, we have to prove the majority, so let see.”
By Our Reporter
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