By The Editor
Amidst great excitement and much speculation this time too Meghalaya returned a hung assembly with the National People’s Party (NPP) getting largest number of seats at 26. Initially NPP received support from two members each of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and two independents thus totaling 32 which was enough to form a government. Meanwhile the United Democratic Party (UDP) was making effort to form an alliance sans the NPP and the BJP which met at the official residence of Lahkmen Rymbui in Laitumkhrah and attended by members of legislative assembly (MLAs) from Trinamool Congress (TMC), Voice of the People Party (VPP), Indian National Congress (INC) besides those of UDP. Only President of HSPDP K.P Pangniang was present in the meeting whereas party legislators Shakliar Warjri of Mawthadraishan and Methodius Dkhar of Mawshynrut were absent thus casting doubts on formation of alternative alliance which would have only 27 in all and still short of majority.
In a fragile alliance comprising multiple parties having divergent views and approaches it is an not an easy matter at all to remain united and even if it materialises minus ruling party at the Centre the coalition in Meghalaya usually did not last long as experienced in the past. Generally on earlier occasions the decision to ditch regional alliances in the state was not initiated by HSPDP but by main and bigger regional parties though others followed afterwards. As usual and which is not at all surprising, people’s anger at failed regional alliance leading to isolated cases of violence are not unexpected which however in course of time subsides and normal life continues as before. Nevertheless within 48 hours the NPP-led alliance was firmly entrenched as 11 UDP MLAs and 2 PDF MLAs also extended support on March 5 raising strength of coalition to 45 and hence continuation of MDA (Meghalaya Democratic Alliance) 2.0 which is expected to complete its full term till 2028. What lies ahead is up to Conrad K. Sangma who will face hard task to perform and keep the partners happy. VPP described the 2-day chaotic events over government formation led by the UDP as mere political drama to fool the people. However with joining of UDP and PDF in coalition, the formation is almost the same as MDA 1.0
Following an uneasy calm on Sunday March 5, the outgoing deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong has strongly warned non-government organisations (NGOs) like Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organization (HITO) and Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) to refrain from interfering in the constitutional process of government formation. Elected legislators of the 11th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly took oath on Monday March 6 at 10 a.m. conducted by pro tem speaker Timothy D. Shira at Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Rilbong. The chief minister and his cabinet will be sworn in on March 7 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah attending ceremony. The House meets again on March 9 for election of the speaker.