The newly-elected MLAs of Meghalaya will take oath at a special session of the state assembly on Monday, a day after two regional parties extended their support to Conrad Sangma's NPP-led alliance.
The special session will also witness the election of the speaker. Senior NPP MLA Timothy D Shira was sworn in as the protem speaker of the Meghalaya assembly on Saturday.
The new House will have 59 members. The Assembly session will be held again on March 9 for the election of the speaker, commissioner and secretary of the Assembly.
With the United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People's Democratic Front (PDF) extending their support to the NPP-led alliance, the number of MLAs backing the Conrad K Sangma-led coalition rose to 45.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday at his official residence to discuss government formation in Tripura and Nagaland. Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also attended the meeting, they said.
The meeting comes amid speculations that the current chief minister of Tripura Manik Saha may continue in the role, despite Union Minister Pratima Bhowmik emerging as a front-runner. According to sources, Manik Saha's clean image and ability to maintain the law and order system of the state as the head of the government has worked in his favour, despite a section in the state party rooting for Bhowmik.
Besides, cabinet structure and government formation in all three states were discussed during the meeting. It is likely that the BJP bags one ministerial berth in Meghalaya, despite the party winning only two seats. The ministerial berth-sharing arrangement in Nagaland is yet to be decided, reported NDTV.
The BJP returned to power in Tripura and retained power in Nagaland with alliance partner National Democratic Progressive Party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the oath-taking ceremony of chief ministers and other ministers in the northeastern states.
Modi had said that the BJP's good performance in the states showed people's strong faith in democracy and democratic institutions in the country.
