Shillong, Sep 25: Almost the entire MDA flock is camping in Delhi, days after eight UDP MLAs crossed over to the BJP — but the capital has turned unusually quiet.
Majority of the top BJP brass overseeing the political realignment are not reachable, and so are the legislators themselves. Except for two leaders, everyone else has gone mum.
State BJP leader AL Hek remains the only one on record, maintaining that legislators from NPP and TMC have individually approached him to join BJP after the UDP’s strength took the saffron party from 2 to 10 MLAs overnight. Former minister and senior UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh is the other voice, admitting to the tremor within UDP but holding back on what’s next.
Rest — ministers, sitting MLAs, the new BJP entrants — are refusing to take calls or comment, even as they are seen moving together in Delhi’s corridors. Their silence, timed with the unavailability of the central BJP leaders handling the Northeast, has fuelled speculation that something bigger than mere inductions is being negotiated.
Also in Delhi is Leader of Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma with his family. Officially a private visit, but with TMC MLAs also rumoured to be in touch with BJP, his presence has added another layer to the suspense.
Is there a move to topple the Conrad Sangma government? On numbers, NPP’s 32 alone is above the majority mark of 31 in the 60-member House, so the MDA is technically safe. But if more defections follow Hek’s claim, BJP will no longer be a junior partner — it will dictate terms, with more cabinet berths and a larger say, or lay the groundwork for a new power equation by 2028.
For now, the deal-making has gone behind closed doors. Shillong waits, while Delhi stays silent.
