Conrad to be next Meghalaya CM

WITH BJP’S SUPPORT Alliance deals blow to Congress which won 21 seats to emerge as the single largest party after Saturday results

National People’s Party (NPP) national president Conrad Sangma is set to become the next chief minister of Meghalaya, after stitching together an alliance with BJP and regional parties.

Sangma met governor Ganga Prasad early Sunday evening and staked claim to form the government. He handed over a letter of support from MLAs to the governor.

Earlier in the day, political buzz gripped the hill state after United Democratic Party (UDP) president Donkupar Roy told the media his party would extend support to the NPP, which secured 19 seats, to form a “nonCongress” government.

The announcement came after a closed door meeting between UDP leaders and BJP leaders Kiren Rijiju, KJ Alphons and Himanta Biswa Sarma at Roy’s residence.

“We will have a non-Congress government in Meghalaya and

SHILLONG:

the Centre has promised to extend all support to the government,” Rijiju told journalists before entering Roy’s residence.

After Sangma’s meeting with the governor, Sarma tweeted, “Happy to share that 34 newlyelected members belonging to NPP, UDP, PDF, HSPDP, @BJP4India and one independent member are meeting Hon Governor to stake claim to form government in #Meghalya. Sri Conrad Sangma will be the leader of this coalition.”

Sangma, who could not be immediately reached for comment, is the youngest son of former Meghalaya chief minister and former Lok Sabha speaker PA Sangma. He did his BBA from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

The alliance formation in favour of Sangma dealt a blow to the Congress, which won 21 seats