Meghalaya: BJP claims 8 Congress MLAs likely to join party

Shillong | Aug 31, 2019:

Terming the reports of Congress MLAs joining the BJP as their 'internal matter', Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that there is no threat to the MDA coalition Government even if a good number of Congress MLAs join the saffron party.

"All the coalition partners remain committed for the stability of the present Government. We all share a good sense of understanding," Sangma said while reacting to reports of eight Congress MLAs joining the BJP here today.

Meanwhile, Senior BJP legislator and Cabinet Minister AL Hek claimed that eight congress MLAs have so far approached him to join the BJP. He however said that if they touch 13 and join they will not attract the anti-defection law.

"To avoid any attraction of the anti-defection law, all the Congress MLAs or at least 13 of them should come forward to join the party to avoid any conflict of the anti-defection law," he said

He also maintained that come 2023, the BJP will form its first ever Government in Meghalaya.

It may be mentioned that the BJP's landslide victory in this year Lok Sabha polls has put pressure to the Congress leadership since many of its party leaders and MLAs are planning to leave the party.