SHILLONG:
TMC state president and newly elected representative from Nongthymmai Charles Pyngrope, on March 3, exuded confidence of forming the government with the support of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Voice of the People Party (VPP), People’s Democratic Front (PDF), Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP), Congress and one independent.
Speaking to media persons after meeting with leaders of the different political parties at UDP leader Lahkmen Rymbui’s residence today, Pyngrope claimed that they have the required numbers to form the next government without the support of the National People’s Party (NPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“We are going to work with other parties except the BJP and NPP to form the government. We have the numbers; everybody is here – as for HSPDP, the president himself is here,” the TMC leader said.
It may be mentioned that the UDP has 11 MLAs, TMC and Congress have 5 each, VPP has 4, HSPDP and PDF have 2 each and one independent from Rambrai-Jyrngam.
Similarly, newly appointed Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh said they are following a simple formula where all parties have decided to work together to form the government, “that serves the people and is accountable.”
“We are still discussing and we yet to come to a conclusion; this is the first meeting,” he said.
When apprised about the governor’s move to invite the NPP-BJP alliance to form the government, Lyngdoh said, “Being the single largest party, it is only right for the governor to invite them (NPP) but this is not the end of the process; you have to prove the majority; let’s see.”
When asked whether they have the numbers, he replied in the affirmative. “Yes, we have the numbers and we will stake claim before the expiry of the term of the house,” he added.
When confronted with the question on the absence of the two newly-elected HSPDP legislators, Lyngdoh downplayed the situation and asserted that they are very much part of the alliance.
Meanwhile, Congress legislator from Gambegre Saleng Sangma said they haven’t talked about staking claim to form the government, “otherwise we would have already gone and staked claim.”
He, however, asserted that all the parties who attended the meeting have agreed to stay united and hoped that it stays that way.
