Shillong, October 19: Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) state president Prestone Tynsong on Monday declined to comment on whether United Democratic Party (UDP) president, now the party’s only remaining MLA, would continue to hold his Cabinet position following the exit of three UDP legislators.
“You can ask the UDP president that question. I am the president of the NPP,” Tynsong told reporters.
His remarks came after three of the UDP’s four remaining MLAs decided to join the NPP, marking another setback for the regional party.
The three legislators are Paul Lyngdoh of West Shillong, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar of Mawkyrwat and Nujorki Sungoh of Mookaiaw.
Paul Lyngdoh and Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, accompanied by Tynsong, NPP national vice-president Sniawbhalang Dhar and other party leaders, submitted the merger documents to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma.
Tynsong said the NPP’s strength had increased to 36 MLAs, although formal recognition of the proposed merger remained subject to the Speaker’s scrutiny and decision.
He added that Sungoh would join the group in the coming days and expressed hope that the Speaker would give a favourable decision on the application.
On the formal induction of the three legislators into the party, Tynsong said the necessary arrangements were being finalised and further details would be announced later.
Responding to questions about a possible Cabinet reshuffle, the NPP president denied that the legislators’ decision to join the party was linked to any assurance of ministerial positions.
Referring to the reasons cited by Paul Lyngdoh, Tynsong said the legislators had raised certain concerns that they believed the NPP could address. He maintained that no conditions had been attached to their decision.
“The question of ministerial positions does not arise. There were no preconditions,” he said.
The latest development follows the merger of eight UDP MLAs with the BJP earlier this year, which was recognised by the Speaker. The proposed move by the three remaining UDP legislators would leave the party with only its president in the Assembly, subject to the Speaker’s decision on their merger application.
