In a blow to the United Democratic Party (UDP), legislator Samuel Sangma on Monday resigned as the associate member of UDP. Accompanied by senior BJP legislator and former cabinet Minister AL Hek, Sangma submitted his letter of withdrawal of support to UDP chief Metbah Lyngdoh.
Rubbishing the rumours, Samuel said, “I withdrew as an associate member from UDP only, I did not resign.”
Sangma – a four-time MLA initially representing Dalu, West Garo Hills district (2003 and 2008) and later Baghmara in South Garo Hills district (2013 and 2018).
He had joined the UDP as its associate member on September 16, 2018.
The legislator from Baghmara is all set to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), however, the date of the joining is not fixed. The BJP on Monday has maintained that the party will have a joining programme till 20th of December.
“I have not yet joined BJP, just I withdraw support as an associate member of UDP but I will contest from BJP ticket only,” the MLA said.
“I am not joining now, when I join then I will contest from BJP ticket only,” he added.
He also clarified that he is not joining immediately.
Asked, he said, “The reason to choose BJP is because it’s comfortable for me, so I decided.”
Asked why do you think that people in Garo hills will accept BJP, he said, “Why not? Centre is BJP. What’s wrong in that.”
He also said that he liked the policies and programmes of the BJP.