SHILLONG, March 18 ? In a queer twist to the unstable politics in Meghalaya, the main Opposition United Democratic Party which was recently ousted from power, rejoined the government, raising the strength of the ruling coalition to 56 in a house of 60. The Congress, which is a major coalition partner in the People?s Forum of Meghalaya (PFM), received a big jolt as eight ministers belonging to the party were dropped from the Ministry headed by F A Khonglam.
All the dropped ministers were from the Garo Hills indicating Purno A Sangma?s hand in snubbing his reveals in his fiefdom. A shocked DD Lapang, Deputy Chief Minister, could only say.? It is the prerogative of the Chief Minister to drop any Minister in the Council of Ministry. Dr Khonglam said that he has already submitted the letter of support from the UDP to the Governor MM Jacob this evening. Of the 13 UDP MLAs joining the government, eight would be inducted in the Government. Of them, former Chief Minister E K Mawlong, Dr Donkupar Roy and Roshan Warjri, will not be included in the ministry.
The Chief Minister indicated that some dissident NCP ministers would be dropped from the council of ministry. Purno Sangma, who was camping here since Saturday to garner support to the NCP candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat, left for New Delhi late this afternoon. There is a possibility that the Meghalaya House will have only one Opposition member as the Chief Minister is contemplating inviting the three-member BJP group to join the Government. In that event, CR Marak of Garo National Council (GNC) would be the lone Opposition member in the 60-member House.