Chief of Meghalaya's National People's Party Conrad Sangma (Express File Photo) 
India

NPP chief Conrad Sangma says Meghalaya Governor invited him to form government

Meghalaya threw up a fractured mandate on Saturday with the Congress emerging as the largest party, marginally ahead of its rival, the National People's Party, an ally of the BJP at the Centre.

From our online archive

SHILLONG: NPP president Conrad Sangma today said that he has been invited by Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad to form government in the state.

He said the swearing-in of the new ministers would take place tomorrow.

"The governor has invited me to form the government since I have the numbers", Sangma said.

Meghalaya threw up a fractured mandate on Saturday with the Congress emerging as the largest party, marginally ahead of its rival, the National People's Party (NPP), an ally of the BJP at the Centre and in Manipur.

The Congress, which has been in power in the state for the last 10 years, won 21 seats out the 59 that went to polls last month.

The party is 10 seats short of a simple majority.

Sangma had met the governor last evening and staked claim to form the government in the state, with the support of 34 MLAs in the 60-member Assembly.

After meeting the governor, he had said, "We met the governor and submitted a letter of support from 34 MLAs -- 19 of the NPP, six of the the United Democratic Party (UDP), four of the People's Democratic Front (PDF), two each of the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) and the BJP and an Independent."

Conrad Sangma (40) is the youngest son of former Lok Sabha Speaker (L) P A Sangma who died in 2016.

He was elected a Member of Parliament in a by-election from Tura constituency after his father's death.

Trump slams US Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship; calls it 'too bad for country'

PM Modi talks to Iran's President Pezeshkian; backs dialogue, diplomacy in West Asia

An “ocean of opportunity” and of competition

India-Japan annual summit to focus on AI, mobility roadmap and maritime cooperation

Atleast 14 children killed as roof of tutoring centre collapse in eastern Pakistan

SCROLL FOR NEXT