Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has chosen to soothe the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that accepting the support from the Congress CLP will not affect their relationship.
A day after all five Congress MLAs in the state joined forces with the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), BJP state leaders are a befuddled and angry lot.
BJP Meghalaya state president, Ernest Mawrie spoke in metaphors saying, “How can a lion and a deer drink from the same water source at the same time?
The support of the Congress Legislature Party (to MDA) is a separate issue which will not affect the relationship with our coalition partners, Sangma told journalists.
The NPP-led MDA government has the support of the United Democratic Party, People’s Democratic Front, Hill State People’s Democratic Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party, Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement and Independents.
It is not that we are here to use this situation to our advantage and will begin to sideline the coalition partners. That will never happen and that is not the kind of principles we follow. We always remember the people who were with us during difficult times and will continue to appreciate their support to us and ensure we don’t break our commitments to them, Sangma said.
“Political differences are there at the party level, but we are here to see that ultimately all political parties work together for the development of the state and to see the people's interest,” he added. Meanwhile, the chief minister said there will be no change in cabinet ministers.
