NPP, UDP deny Congress move on alliance

SHILLONG: NPP state president and new Rajya Sabha member WR Kharlukhi has denied any move by the Congress to approach NPP for an alternative government. His statement was endorsed by the UDP, the second largest partner in the MDA.
Reacting to a question on a possible Congress-NPP alliance, Kharlukhi on Wednesday rightly referred to Congress leader Charles Pyngrope’s comments.
Pyngrope had said on Tuesday that any realignment would be decided by the leadership of both parties.
“The Congress MLA himself is not aware of any such development and this is my answer to the question on Congress-NPP alliance”, Kharlukhi said.
In the context of Manipur crisis, Kharlukhi reiterated that the NEDA coalition is intact and the party would discuss whether a change in leadership was required.
On whether he would continue as the state head of NPP, Kharlukhi said the party’s general conference, which will take place after the pandemic ends, will decide on the matter.
Kharlukhi indicated that he may not like to continue as the state president of the party.
About the NPP’s performance in the last two and a half years, the senior leader remained discreet. “The 2023 polls will show. If we have performed well then we will come back to power,” he said.
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker and UDP president, Metbah Lyngdoh also reiterated that there was no move from the NPP to align with the Congress.
Metbah stated that Chief Minister and NPP chief, Conrad Sangma and other top party leaders have assured him that there was no such move.
On reports of Congress approaching him and offering him the CM’s post, the UDP chief said that the numbers do not add up since his party has only seven MLAs and two associate members in the House of 60.
He asserted that the MDA partners are firm in their decision to ensure stability by completing their five-year tenure.
He also made it clear that everything was “smooth” in the MDA and any issue that crops up is resolved amicably among the coalition partners.