No alarm in MDA even if BJP camp swells: CM

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said there is no alarm in the MDA coalition even if the bulk of Congress leaders join the BJP.
Conrad made the statement following the claims of the BJP that as many as eight Congress MLAs are willing to join the party.
Talking to media persons on Saturday, Conrad said there is no alarm in the MDA and all the members of the alliance are committed to the coalition.
“Our commitment and understanding is there and the same understanding will be there in the alliance,” he said
Later, the BJP leader and Cabinet Minister AL Hek said the BJP wants all the Congress MLAs in the state to join the party if it is possible.
He added that the Congress MLAs should join the party in a group so that they don’t attract the provisions of anti-defection law.
Reiterating that eight Congress MLAs have already approached him to join the party, Hek added that BJP’s door is always open for anyone to enter and exit.
“If they (Congress MLAs) want to escape from the provisions of anti- defection law, all of them should come to BJP or else atleast 13  MLAs,” he said.
To a question whether the BJP will stake claim for leadership in MDA if the Congress MLAs merge with the party, Hek said it will depend on the direction of the central leaders of the party.
“We cannot take a decision alone and if such a situation arises, it is upto the central leaders to take a call on the matter”.
He also reiterated that after the next Assembly polls in 2023, the BJP will form its first ever government in Meghalaya.