Shillong, Sept 2: The big switch is round the corner.
Senior BJP leaders based in Delhi, who did not want to be named, have confirmed that a deal has been sealed for nine UDP legislators to join BJP, two others to move to NPP, leaving UDP president Metbah Lyngdoh as the lone MLA.
The legislators are back in Shillong and the change is likely soon after official communication, the leaders said.
“It is a clean two-thirds merger. Nine out of twelve crosses the anti-defection mark of eight, so there is no scope for disqualification. They will resign from UDP as a group and formally join BJP in presence of central leaders,” a senior BJP leader told this reporter recently after a round of closed-door meetings in the national capital where modalities – merger route, cabinet share and legal shield – were cleared.
As per the formula being discussed, BJP will jump from 2 to 11 MLAs and become the second largest party after NPP’s 33. With two more moving to NPP, Conrad Sangma’s party will go to 35. The lone man left, Metbah, will be left to fight for the party symbol at the Election Commission.
Sources also claim three TMC MLAs are in the final stage of talks with BJP and may follow soon, which could take BJP’s tally to 14.
BJP is now eyeing three cabinet berths and Deputy CM post against lone minister AL Hek, the leaders claimed.
UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh has denied the buzz, maintaining all 12 MLAs are intact.
There is no official word from BJP central leadership, NPP or Speaker’s office yet. Formal announcement is expected soon after official communication.
