SHILLONG, June 30: Amid mounting speculations that a section of UDP MLAs are on the verge of switching over to the National People’s Party (NPP), Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday dismissed the rumours, asserting that political discussions across party lines are a healthy and routine feature of democracy.
Reacting to reports of possible defections from the United Democratic Party (UDP), the state’s second-largest opposition party, Sangma said such interactions between legislators and political leaders are natural and should not be viewed with suspicion.
“Leaders from different parties regularly stay in touch, discuss political developments, future prospects, and issues concerning the state. It would be unrealistic to expect them to remain isolated just because they belong to different political platforms,” Sangma said.
He emphasised that politicians, irrespective of their affiliations, form part of the same broader political ecosystem and frequently exchange views on matters affecting Meghalaya. While acknowledging that conversations do take place, the Chief Minister stopped short of confirming or denying any specific moves by UDP legislators towards the NPP.
Sangma cautioned against reading too much into media speculation, noting that such reports often create unnecessary buzz. “Discussions are part of the democratic process and do not always lead to political realignments. What ultimately matters is the final outcome,” he added.
The CM’s remarks come at a time when the ruling NPP-led coalition continues to consolidate its position, even as the UDP grapples with internal challenges and questions over its relevance ahead of future electoral battles in the state.
Sangma maintained that any such political dialogue should be allowed to follow its natural course without premature conclusions.
