Staff Reporters
SHILLONG:
The National People’s Party (NPP) on March 3 evening met Governor Phagu Chauhan and submitted to him the letter of support of 32 legislators.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the governor at the Raj Bhavan, NPP national president Conrad K Sangma said, “We finally got the signatures of the 32 MLAs. They have given the letter of support which I have now formally submitted to the governor.”
The legislators belong to NPP (26), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and independents (2 each).
Sangma will, in all probability, take oath as the chief minister for the second term.
The state unit of the BJP had sent in its letter of support to the NPP within hours of declaration of the results on Thursday on instruction from the party’s central command.
The independent legislators are Kartush N Marak from Baghmara and Remington Gabil Momin from Rambrai-Jyrngam.
However, the number is likely to go up with other parties too expressing their willingness to join the NPP-led coalition.
Sangma said that there are other legislators from other parties too who are going to meet him on Friday night.
“We are still in touch with other parties also and we will be meeting them tonight,” he added.
The NPP chief also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his willingness to attend the swearing-in ceremony and, therefore, the event will be held as per his convenience and the announcement will be made by the Raj Bhavan.
“But I have been unofficially informed that the swearing-in will be on March 7 at 11 am,” Sangma said.
On the decision of the United Democratic Party to not align with the NPP and BJP, Sangma said that every party has its independence to decide how they want to go forward.
Earlier on Friday morning, the governor invited the NPP to form the government after legislators of NPP and its ally BJP led by Sangma met him to stake claim.
Sangma also submitted his resignation as chief minister.
Before meeting the governor, the NPP legislators met at Sangma’s residence and elected him as the legislature party leader.
Sangma said that the name of the new alliance has not been decided yet.
Speaking to reporters outside the Raj Bhavan after meeting Chauhan in the morning, he said, “As soon as all the MLAs arrive here (Shillong), we will get all the signatures done (for support).”
Sangma said that since the results were out on Thursday, many of the legislators were beginning to arrive in Shillong.