Shillong, September 26: Deputy Chief Minister and NPP national vice-president Sniawbhalang Dhar on Saturday dismissed speculation about a rift within the party and firmly denied reports that he or other NPP legislators were preparing to join the BJP.
Dhar asserted that all 33 NPP legislators remained united and that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government would not be affected by the decision of eight UDP MLAs to join the BJP.
The Deputy Chief Minister recently returned from New Delhi along with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and fellow Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong. He clarified that their visit was strictly for official work.
“There is nothing wrong within the NPP family. We are a fully united family. The three of us—Conrad K. Sangma, Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar—are of one mind,” he said.
Dhar also rejected reports claiming that 22 NPP legislators were camping in Delhi to meet the BJP’s central leadership. “Only three MLAs were in Delhi, and we were there for official work. All 33 NPP MLAs are intact and fully united. These allegations are totally baseless,” he said.
Responding to questions about the impact of eight UDP legislators joining the BJP, Dhar said the development concerned the two parties and would not affect the coalition government. “There is no problem within the MDA. It remains with the same strength. They are moving from one ruling party to another. Every political party wants to strengthen itself, and there is no harm in that,” he said.
Dhar noted that the coalition had governed Meghalaya since 2018, initially with 19 NPP legislators, while the party now has 33 members in the Assembly. He thanked the coalition partners for continuing to support the government.
He also denied reports that the BJP had demanded an increase in its representation in the state Cabinet from one berth to four “There is no such demand from the BJP. Everything will remain the same,” Dhar said.
Rejecting speculation about his own political future, Dhar said he had no intention of leaving the NPP. “I belong to the NPP and will continue to be with the NPP. The question of switching to any other party does not arise,” he said.
Dhar said he could not betray the mandate given to him by the people of Nartiang and Meghalaya. “They elected me from the NPP. If I contest from this party, I have to continue with this party. That is my principle,” he added.
