Is the NPP hoping for a post-poll agreement with UDP and BJP to form the next government after the upcoming Assembly elections?
Last week the NPP declared candidates for 58 seats for the upcoming elections to the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Interestingly, the NPP decided not to put up candidates for two seats — Mairang and South Shillong.
Mairang is currently represented by Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh who is also the president of the UDP.
Meanwhile, South Shillong is represented by cabinet minister Sanbor Shullai of the BJP.
Both UDP and BJP are constituents of the MDA government led by the NPP. However, the three parties are contesting the elections separately.
Political observers see the decision by NPP not to contest against Metbah Lyngdoh and Sanbor Shullai as a signal to both UDP and BJP that the options for a post-poll alliance are open.
The NPP is battling against a visible anti-incumbency factor and allegations of corruption. There is no denying the fact that the Trinamool Congress has gained strength in recent times especially in Garo Hills given the fact that the NPP and the BJP are fighting separately in the polls.
Trinamool Congress leader Dr. Mukul Sangma has a good grip in Garo Hills. The party also hopes to bag at least three seats in Khasi Hills.
The BJP is likely to win at least five seats from Garo Hills and at least three seats from Khasi Hills this time.
Political analysts believe that the NPP with the current anti-incumbency wave cannot form a government in Meghalaya on its own. It needs a post-poll alliance with the UDP and BJP.
However, any post-poll alliance will be sealed only by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma who is now a very powerful leader of the BJP in the North East.
