UDP, PDF extends support to NPP for ensuring a stable govt in Meghalaya 

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 5, 2023

The National People’s Party (NPP) received a shot in the arm after the United Democratic Party and the People’s Democratic Front extended their support for formation of a new government in the state on Sunday taking its tally to 45 members. 

With this development, the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance – II is all set to be formed in the state with all the MDA partners coming together yet again. 

The NPP has 26 MLAs and its alliance partners – UDP has 11, PDF 2, BJP 2, HSPDP 2 and Independent 2.

In the letter of support submitted to NPP national chief Conrad K Sangma, UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh said, “Congratulations on your party’s performance, resulting in the resounding victory. In light of the people’s mandate, I on behalf of the Parliamentary Party of the United Democratic Party, do hereby support for government formation.”

Similarly, PDF president and working president – Gavin M Mylliem and Banteidor Lyngdoh said, “…the People’s Democratic Front would like to submit a letter of support for the formation of the new government as an outcome of the recently concluded general assembly elections in order to ensure stability of the government, and also to work in unity for the prosperity of the state and its people as a whole.”

This decision also came after the attempt of form a non NPP-BJP government failed after two Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) MLAs came out of the meeting held between four regional parties – UDP, VPP, PDF and HSPDP – Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress – to support the NPP. 

Effigies of the two HSPDP MLAs were also burnt by protesters at Motphran on Saturday demanding them to withdraw support to the NPP and allow formation of a government to be led by the regional parties. 

A senior leader of the UDP on request of anonymity said, “We have decided to support the NPP to ensure formation of a stable government in the state.”

“The decision was also taken after the other alternative is not working. You have seen we have tried our level best but with such multiple parties, a couple of them have already shown their true colours. Therefore, we don’t want a 2008 like situation where the state has been subjected to instability,” he said. 

Moreover, the senior UDP leader said that the mandate given by the people to the MDA partners – NPP, UDP, PDF, HSPDP, BJP – is 44. 

“But if we go by regional parties, we are 19 only and without the support of national parties again we cannot form the government,” he added. 

Stating that the MDA-II government will be formed in the state, the UDP leader said, “We have to respect the mandate of the people. We did give the alternative a try minus NPP but it didn’t work.”

Meanwhile, the seat sharing between the MDA partners will be decided tomorrow.