SHILLONG: 4 May 2023 (PTI Source)
On Wednesday, Meghalaya's Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, announced that the National People's Party (NPP) will merge with the People's Democratic Front (PDF), the ruling alliance, on May 6.
The announcement was made by Sangma while campaigning for Samlin Malngiang, an NPP candidate in the Sohiong seat. The PDF currently holds two MLAs in the Meghalaya Assembly. Once the merger is complete, the NPP's strength in a House of 60 members is expected to increase by 28. The by-election to the Sohiong Assembly constituency was postponed due to the death of former minister Horju Donkupar Roy, who was a candidate of the United Democratic Party (UDP).
The upcoming by-election for the Sohiong Assembly constituency in Meghalaya was originally scheduled for February 27 but has been postponed to May 10.
The ruling National People's Party (NPP) is looking to leverage its impending merger with the People's Democratic Front (PDF), a current ally with two MLAs in the state assembly, to gain an advantage in the by-poll. Sangma, who announced the merger on Wednesday, stated that it will further strengthen the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) ruling coalition.
The PDF was established by former deputy chief minister P Tynsong in 2017 following his exit from the Indian National Congress party.