SHILLONG, Feb 3: The Congress, already crippled by large-scale defections, may lose some more MLAs and MDCs ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls.
Many political leaders have started exploring options. Among them is Fantin Joseph Lakadong, Congress member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council from Laitumkhrah-Malki.
He has decided to quit and join the NPP soon.
Confirming the move, he said his block members have convinced him to join the NPP. “We had a block meeting today and all of them want me to join the NPP. They are the ones who helped me win the KHADC election and I respect their decision,” he told The Shillong Times.
The MDC said that he is exploring 2-3 constituencies from where he may contest the Assembly elections.
Party sources also said Lakadong’s wife and Congress leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh may also join the NPP.
She is the MLA from East Shillong.
The sources said Lyngdoh is planning to field one of her relatives from Nongthymmai, also on an NPP ticket.
The MLA denied any plan to quit Congress. “I will continue to work for the party. I want to see it consolidating its position as we approach 2023,” she said.
The sources also said Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie may seek a United Democratic Party ticket.
UDP leader and former Mawlai MLA, Embhahlang Syiemlieh is expected to back Sawkmie’s candidature.
When contacted, Sawkmie said he will be with Congress till the end of his tenure as the MLA. “As for the future, only time will tell. We will see the best way forward and accordingly take a decision,” he said, refraining from giving a direct reply.
The Meghalaya unit of Congress had suffered a jolt last year when 12 of its MLAs, including senior leaders Mukul M Sangma and Charles Pyngrope merged with the All India Trinamool Congress.