BJP hasn’t sought more berths, no threat to MDA govt: Meghalaya CM on 8 UDP MLAs’ switch

SHILLONG, SEPT 23: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma onWednesday ruled out any threat to the NPP-led MDA government following thejoining of eight UDP MLAs to the BJP and said the saffron party has not soughtadditional cabinet berths. The BJP’s strength in the 60-member Assembly has gone upto 10 after eight UDP MLAs joined the party in New Delhi on Wednesday, makingit the second largest constituent in the MDA after the NPP. “It is a decision between two political parties, itis the decision of the respective MLAs. It has nothing to do with the NPP assuch. Therefore, it is really the desire and the decision of the MLAs, so Ihave no comment on their decision,” Sangma told reporters. Asserting that the coalition’s strength remains intact,the Chief Minister said, “The strength of the coalition remains the samebecause it is very much within the coalition, so therefore it does not disturbthe overall functioning of our government. And even if that was the case, asyou are all aware, we have a simple majority in the House and therefore we arequite confident that everything will be as usual.” “But of course, there will be some concerns betweenthe two political parties because MLAs from one party have left and joinedanother political party. So that they will have to figure out. On that aspectof their joining and why they joined and what is the purpose, that is somethingI cannot comment on,” he added. Asked if there will be a cabinet reshuffle, Sangma said,”I have already made it very clear, this will not affect anything.” On whether the BJP has demanded more cabinet seats, hesaid, “No, they have not asked anything.” Ruling out any threat to his leadership due to BJP’sexpansion in the state, Sangma said, “No, there is no threat as of now.Every political party has the desire to grow and in a democracy and in politics,every party will aspire. We aspire to grow in different states. We have beenworking in Manipur and other states. It is a natural process, so it’s fine. Wehave to work towards ensuring that we keep our base strong.” “We have to keep ensuring that in this wholesituation we can play our part to maybe increase the number of seats that wehave. So many elections come, I was always very clear to all of you that wealways fight on our own terms, as our own identity and that will continue inthe future,” he added.