SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP), a regional party which could secure only six seats in the just concluded Assembly polls has become the kingmaker as the party has played a major role in forming a NPP- led Government in Meghalaya.
Right from the morning, top leaders from Congress as well as BJP made a beeline at the residence of the UDP president, Donkpar Roy trying their best to convince the UDP to support their respective parties.
In the morning, Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, KJ Alphons and BJP leader AL Hek paid a visit to the UDP leader and held a closed door meeting with them.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Kiren Rijiju said that the regional parties would have discussion on the matter even as he added that BJP was not a major player here and hence the regional parties would decide as to whom should they support to form the government.
Shortly after the visit of BJP leaders, Congress leader Zenith Sangma also made a quick knock at the doors of the UDP president to have discussions on the formation of the Government.
Zenith Sangma told reporters that the regional parties were like minded parties and they had worked with the Congress even earlier.
In between, UDP working president, Paul Lyngdoh broke the news to reporters that UDP would be partnering with the NPP and others to form the Government with Conrad Sangma as the Chief Minister.
He also said that the proposal only needed the approval of the regional Democratic Alliance (RDA), a forum of UDP, HSPDP and PDF after which they would proceed to the Governor House.
Soon after the statement, Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma himself and at the same time, NPP president, Conrad Sangma and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma arrived at the residence of the UDP president to finalise the political future of the state.
Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma said that he would not mind if he was not the Chief Minister even as he added that he had served the people of the state in different capacities
“There is a joy in serving the people in multiple capacities,” he said while adding that this is not the end and the political situation in the state is the offshoot of the fractured mandate.
After a meeting with Mukul Sangma, UDP leaders also held a short meeting with Conrad Sangma and Himanta Biswa Sarma who later coming out of the meeting informed the media persons that a delegation of NPP, BJP, UDP and HSPDP MLAs would meet the Governor at 5 PM to stake the claim to form the Government.
He also said that by evening, other partners would join the coalition
After the statement, Conrad Sangma-led the delegation and even as PDF joined the delegation to stake claim to form the Government.