Opposition Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Meghalaya decided to maintain “status quo” after the resignation of its party leader and NDA-backed presidential nominee Purno A Sangma.

“As far as the state unit is concerned, status quo will be maintained while Agatha Sangma will continue as a minister in the UPA government,” Conrad Sangma, leader of opposition in Meghalaya Assembly, told journalists.

Conrad, who rushed back to Shillong from New Delhi and chaired a crucial NCP meeting, said “Right now we are with the NCP. We have no intention to leave the party nor do we have any differences with our party leadership (following Sangma’s resignation from NCP). But no one knows about the future.”

The crucial meeting attended by party legislators and senior functionary party leaders from the districts and blocks reviewed the impact of the resignation of the former Lok Sabha Speaker from the NCP.

“Sangma had resigned at an individual level. But his resignation to contest in the presidential election was for the cause of the tribals, the people of the region (Northeastern states) and Christians. We are happy for him and we are glad that he had taken this bold step,” Conrad, the youngest son of Purno, said.

Asked if the NCP legislators in the region would vote in favour of Sangma, Conrad said, “Article 55 of the Constitution stated it very clear that election should be by secret ballot and therefore you will find people will vote the either way. No whip will be issued and people are free to vote for anyone.”

Stating that Sangma was in touch with many dissident political groups, Conrad said there are few dissidents Congress legislators in Meghalaya who have assured of voting in Sangma’s favour in the presidential elections.

In the 60-member assembly, the opposition NCP has 15 members while the ruling Congress, with 28 legislators, is supported by other parties and independents.

Sangma, who has been fielded as a presidential candidate by AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa and Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik, quit the NCP Wednesday after his party mounted pressure on him to dropout of the presidential race in favour of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) nominee Pranab Mukherjee.

Urging Meghalaya chief minister and Congress leader Mukul Sangma to rise above politics, Conrad said, “It was very sad that the chief minister had come out with a statement against Sangma.

The statement shows a sense of disrespect and insensitivity towards the cause of tribals, the people of Northeast and Christians. We should all rise above politics and political parties for the cause of our people.”

On Thursday, the chief minister had termed the resignation of presidential candidate and former Lok Sabha speaker Purno Sangma from his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) as “an act of frustration”.

“It’s a complete reflection of his frustration because he has failed in state (Meghalaya) politics. He has failed as a legislator and, therefore, it is reflected by his action,” the chief minister told journalists.