Shillong, June 6: Congress leaders in Meghalaya are eagerly waiting for the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to announce the name of party’s new state unit president.
Earlier, AICC secretary in-charge of Meghalaya, Manish Chatrath had hinted that the name of the new president would be announced after the Assembly elections in some states are over.
East Khasi Hills district Congress chief, Kennedy Khyriem felt the announcement has been delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
“We had requested the AICC in-charge to elect a new president at the earliest and we are all waiting for the AICC to take a call on this,” he said.
According to him, the frontrunners for the post are Nongthymmai MLA Charles Pyngrope, Shillong MP Vincent H Pala and Pradesh Congress working president James Lyngdoh.
Sources revealed Pyngrope is among the favourites since he enjoys the support of most MLAs. However, a section of party leaders claimed his popularity is restricted to East Khasi Hills. They said his one disadvantage is that since he is an MLA, he will need to focus on his constituency.
Some senior leaders, including former Minister HDR Lyngdoh, want Pala to lead the party. They said since he is an MP, his popularity and reach will be throughout Khasi and Jaintia Hills. However, Pala himself is said to be backing Pyngrope.
Congress Legislature Party leader, Mukul Sangma has not yet made any statement on the issue but unconfirmed reports suggest he is trying to project his younger brother and Rangsakona MLA, Zenith M Sangma.
There are reports that some Congress MLAs are planning to float a political party ahead of the 2023 state polls if the AICC overlooks their demand to appoint Pyngrope as the party’s state unit chief. Mukul had earlier rubbished the reports.
Incumbent president, Celestine Pyngrope had earlier stated that the post does not have a fixed tenure. He had also stated that it would be wrong to say his tenure has come to an end.
“In the recent past, I was a bit busy with my family as my mother was unwell. It is for this reason that I was not free for party activities. It is up to the AICC to decide whether or not I should continue in the post,” he had said.
