SHILLONG, NOV 4: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday clarified that the decision of eight UDP MLAs to join the BJP was their individual choice and that no discussions or assurances had been made regarding ministerial berths.
Speaking to reporters in Shillong on Wednesday evening, Conrad said there had been no discussion on Cabinet positions since the UDP legislators decided to join the BJP, adding that no such understanding or arrangement had taken place.
He acknowledged that a request had been made to him to consider additional ministerial representation for the BJP, pointing out that the party’s strength had increased from two to ten MLAs following the latest political developments.
However, he said the request could not be accommodated immediately as the Cabinet already had the required number of ministers.
He added that the state government would nevertheless examine the BJP’s request and explore whether there was any possibility of accommodating it.
