Meghalaya: Congress seeks disqualification of 12 MLAs who joined TMC

The 12 MLAs who joined TMC met West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamta Banerjee in Kolkata. Senior leader Charles Pyngrope has been elected as the State Party chief.

Congress had 17 MLAs, five Congress MLAs elected Ampareen Lyngdoh as the Congress legislature party leader.

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee President Vincent H Pala met speaker Metbah Lyngdoh.

Led by former chief minister Mukul Sangma, 12 out of the 17 Congress MLAs had on Thursday last submitted a letter to the speaker, announcing their merger with West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.

The congress delegation pointed out to the speaker that the dissenting MLAs never discussed the move in the party forum.

Congress leader PN Syiem said, “We are confident the speaker will consider our case and we will win the case. We are with Congress and we are firm on it.”

Former chief minister Mukul Sangma on Thursday said,” Looking at the prevailing political situation in our state and the nation, we can explain as to how this is a very conscious decision we have taken. Indian National Congress, can we really fulfil our responsibility to the people? But I am sorry to say, despite our efforts, it seems to be elusive. There is a reason for us to believe we are failing in our duty as far as our role as the opposition is concerned.”

Those who joined TMC included four MLAs from Khasi-Jaintia Hills region and eight Congress MLAs from Garo Hills. Besides Mukul and Charles those joined TMC included Himalaya Shangpliang (Mawsynram), George B Lyngdoh (Umroi), Shitlang Pale (Sutnga-Saipung), Dikkanchi D Shira (Mahendraganj), Miani D Shira (Ampati), Zenith Sangma (Rangsakona),Marthon J Sangma (Mendipathar), Jimmy D Sangma (Tikrikilla), Winnerson D Sangma (Salmanpara) and Lazarus M Sangma (Chokpot).

In 2018 six political parties formed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition and formed the new government. Congress was ruling the state prior to 2018.