SHILLONG, March 16: Political developments in Manipur after declaration of results of the Assembly elections on March 10 seems to be having created a chasm between the BJP and NPP, partners in the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance.
The BJP, which won a simple majority of 32 seats in the 60-member Manipur house, is not keen on roping in the NPP, its estranged ally, in the new government which is likely to be headed by N Biren Singh for a second time.
The saffron party in Meghalaya is ready to sit in the Opposition if NPP national president Conrad Sangma decides to drop them from the ruling alliance.
BJP MLA and former minister, AL Hek on Wednesday said the party would welcome the move if Conrad Sangma drops the BJP from the MDA. “We are ready. We will sit in the Opposition. We have no problem,” he said, while asking the NPP national president to refrain from threatening the BJP.
On the other hand, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said the two parties have been working together in the region as part of the North East Democratic Alliance and share a good rapport.
“If the BJP invites us to join the government in Manipur, we are ready to join. If they do not invite us we would examine the matter subsequently,” the NPP chief said without elaborating further.
The NPP, which was founded in Manipur, had fielded 38 candidates and fought the recent Assembly elections separately and won seven seats. During the run up to the elections the relations between the two parties turned bitter and both accused each other on various issues.
While the BJP is likely to form the government on its own in Manipur without the aid of the NPP, in Meghalaya, the latter enjoys a dominant position in the Assembly and would still retain a comfortable majority if it drops the saffron party from the MDA which has only two legislators.