Raphael Warjri

The constituent parties of the ruling MDA-II coalition on Wednesday reached a consensus to support James PK Sangma as their joint candidate for the Rajya Sabha election scheduled for June 18.

The decision was taken during a meeting attended by leaders and MLAs of the coalition partners. Although various parties proposed names for consideration, the discussions did not result in a unanimous choice.

Following deliberations, the meeting agreed that the party with the largest strength in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly should be given the opportunity to field the candidate. The NPP, which commands 33 members, including the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, subsequently proposed the name of James PK Sangma.

The coalition partners, including the UDP, BJP, HSPDP and Independent MLAs, agreed to back the NPP nominee, maintaining that James PK Sangma would contest as the collective candidate of the MDA-II alliance.

The meeting was attended by Chief Minister and NPP National President Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, UDP leaders Paul Lyngdoh and Lahkmen Rymbui, BJP legislators Sanbor Shullai and A.L. Hek, HSPDP MLAs Shakliar Warjri and Methodius Dkhar, among others.