The stunning victory by the Voice of the People Party (VPP) and Congress from Shillong and Tura parliamentary constituencies respectively in the recent Lok Sabha elections has caused not only shock and dismay to the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) but also concern about its stability.
The MDA consists of NPP, UDP, HSPDP and BJP besides two independents. However, NPP and the Regional Democratic Alliance of UDP and HSPDP fought against each other in the Lok Sabha polls for the Shillong seat.
The results threw a surprise as NPP was reduced to a humiliating third position and UDP to a fourth position.
The opposition VPP won with a margin of 3.7 lakh against its nearest rival, the Congress party, which is also an opposition party in the State.
With the VPP winning the Lok Sabha elections in 31 out of 36 Assembly segments in Khasi-Jaintia Hills region and the opposition Congress winning in 22 out of 24 Assembly segments in Garo Hills region, the MDA has every reason to be worried about the poll results.
Leaders of the UDP and BJP today met Chief Minister Conrad Sangma at his office to discuss the outcome of the election and about the impact of the poll results on the MDA as a whole.
However, during the meeting, both UDP and BJP reiterated their commitment to continue to be part of the MDA government till completion of its tenure in 2028. They also assured to continue their support to the NPP which leads the ruling alliance.
Informing about the meeting, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that all MDA partners are committed to the stability of the alliance.
“We will continue to work in the way we are working with full commitment to the State and its people,” Sangma told media persons today.
What comes as a relief to the MDA is the return of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (MDA) government at the Centre.
According to political observers, any change in the government at the Centre would have a ripple effect in Meghalaya and can also cause stability to the ruling alliance in the State.
So with the NDA coming back to power, the MDA can breathe a sigh of relief and all alliance partners are now back to business as usual leaving their election enmity behind.
