Conrad to return as CM, set to get backing from BJP, others

By evening, Conrad Sangma was in Shillong, 303km away, huddled in meetings with his victorious legislators, framing the political contours of the next government, one that will likely be led by him again, even if with the support of the BJP and other regional parties.

- Utpal Parashar

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma began Thursday morning in the foothills of West Garo mountains in Tura, his hometown. In a few hours, it became clear that not only had Sangma won his South Tura seat comfortably, clinching 52% of the vote, but also that his National People’s Party (NPP) had bettered their 2018 performance, and were in pole position to return to power.

In results declared on Thursday, the NPP won 26 seats, five short of an absolute majority, the BJP two. Nineteen seats went to smaller parties, with the United Democratic Party the largest of this group, with 11 seats. Meanwhile, the Congress and Trinamool Congress won five seats, while two went to Independent candidates.

But the events leading to Conrad Sangma’s victory, and his decision to mend fences with the BJP hours after the Thursday’s verdict, make the development an odd homecoming for both sides. The NPP and the BJP fought a bitter political campaign after deciding to contest the polls independently, despite being coalition partners in the previous government, with “corruption” and “high-handedness” the buzzwords from the two camps.