TURA: Hit by widespread disgruntlement and anguish within its ranks over allotment of tickets for the ensuing elections leading to many party workers resigning from their posts, the Congress party has issued an appeal to its supporters to come together and remain united while fighting the polls.
With the Congress having released the names of its candidates for all 24 assembly constituencies in the Garo Hills, there has been a spate of resignations and desertions to other parties by those unhappy with the decision of the party’s high command.
Rebellion has hit the party in Chokpot where the sitting Congress legislator Bluebell R Sangma has been replaced by Lazarus Sangma for the party ticket. This has prompted several dozen party workers to step down in protest.
Similar events have unfolded in Dadenggre also where the party’s decision to field former legislator and current MDC Ismail R Marak as the Congress nominee has led to protests within party ranks. Two other Congress aspirants, former Meghalaya Civil Service officer Labenn Ch Marak and the wife of Forest minister Clement Marak, both failed to make it to the party list. In protest, several party workers tendered their resignations.
“Many have supported their individual candidates for the party ticket and with the declaration of the candidates we would like to appeal to all to join hands and fight the elections together to ensure the victory of the Congress,” said East Garo Hills district Congress president Linderson A Sangma in his appeal.
Faced with rising dissent amongst the party ranks, the appeal has been made through several wings of the Congress, including the Mahila Congress and Youth Congress to ensure the message reaches each and every party worker.
In Williamnagar constituency, sitting Congress Minister Deborah C Marak edged out another potential candidate, Sengbat Marak for the party ticket. Both had vigorously campaigned for the same.
Her rival, Sengbat Marak, is expected to fight the polls as an Independent. The previous runner up in the 2013 elections, Independent candidate Jonathone Sangma has also lost out against Deborah Marak for the party ticket. He is expected to fight the coming elections as the NCP candidate.
“The Congress is a big party and differences can always crop up. This happens during selection of candidates but it is now time to set aside all differences and give a united fight,” urged a concerned DCC secretary Helpingstone G Momin.