Pala admits leaders’ exit to affect Congress

SHILLONG: Congress MP Vincent Pala said on Thursday that the party would be affected if senior leaders like Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar quit.
Speaking about rumours that several Congress legislators would join BJP, Pala said the exodus was imminent and “I had spoken to Lapang about it”.
“Once senior men leave, it will affect the Congress. But at the same time, the Congress will have ways to prevent any damage to the party as everything in under control,” he added.
Pala said the political turmoil in the state got intense after BJP came to power at the Centre. Explaining the reason behind legislators quitting and the ongoing power game, the MP said, “There is an expectation that since BJP is at the Centre, it will also come to power in the State in the next election. So the people leave not because they dislike Congress but they want to be in power. It is up to them. Some people can stay without power and some cannot”.
As for the dissolution, he said the Congress party was bound to dissolve the Block Congress Committees to prevent damage to the party. “As a party, we cannot remain silent to their action.”
Terming MPCC chief DD Lapang as a man who has experience of more than 50 years, he said, “It is their strategy and there is nothing wrong.”
As for BJP’s hold in Meghalaya, Pala said it might win a few seats but cannot come to power in Meghalaya. When asked whether the Congress will come to power, Pala said it would be too early to comment. “People still have faith and feel close to the Congress than any other party, but the coming out of PDF and BJP will lead to a fractured mandate,” he added.