Ind MLAs Samuel, Michael join Congress as associate members
SHILLONG: In a boost to the Mukul Sangma-led MUA-II coalition government in the State, two Independent legislators – Samuel Sangma (Baghmara) and Michael T Sangma (Tikrikilla) – have decided to join the Congress as associate members of the party.
The confirmation came from none other than Samuel himself, who informed that he and Michael had recently joined the Congress as associate members.
At a time when there are reports of disgruntlement in the State Congress over the leadership issue, the move of the Chief Minister to rope in two Independent supporters assumes significance.
With the Congress having only 29 members in the House, the support from two Independent legislators takes the Congress tally to 31 – a majority figure.
It was also learnt that the Chief Minister is trying to win the support of some more Independent MLAs from Jaintia Hills by convincing them to join Congress as associate members.
It is interesting to note that, the Congress had denied the party ticket to Samuel in the 2013 Assembly elections in the State, despite Samuel being the then sitting legislator of the party from Dalu.
Despite the party’s stand, Samuel won the election as an Independent candidate and subsequently supported the MUA-II government led by Mukul Sangma, and now has decided to become the associate member of the Congress. Both Samuel and Michael are parliamentary secretaries holding the portfolios of Civil Defence and Home Guards and Excise respectively in the MUA-II Government.
Congress party sources said that the Chief Minister wants to ensure stability to outsmart any toppling game especially after the Lok Sabha polls, and hence he has been making efforts to bring in Independents into the Congress fold.
While the Chief Minister did not expect Lok Sabha candidate in Shillong, Vincent Pala, to win the election, it was a big setback for him in Tura as his candidate Daryl Momin was defeated by veteran leader Purno A Sangma.
The Chief Minister fears that in view of the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, there can be a move by vested interests to topple him which he wants to prevent by ensuring maximum support from the legislators.