SHILLONG, Feb 11: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) is likely to suspend the five Congress MLAs for joining the National People’s Party-led MDA government without the sanction of the party high command.
Speaking to media persons after the state executive meeting of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) here on Friday, party chief Vincent H Pala said a few leaders suggested strong action against the MLAs. West Shillong legislator, Mohendro Rapsang asked the party to give more time to them.
Some leaders felt it was time for Congress to evolve while Nongpoh MLA, Mayralborn Syiem asked why the party cannot work with the MDA when the Maharashtra unit of the party is working with the Shiv Sena.
The MPCC encapsulated the views of the party leaders and sent a report to the AICC, which is expected to give its verdict soon. “Tentatively, the high command is not in favour of these MLAs joining the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance. I had a discussion with the AICC (leaders) on phone and they told me that they would have a meeting and take appropriate action against the MLAs,” Pala said, stating that the five MLAs may be suspended and a show-cause notice issued to them.
He denied allegations that he is taking decisions in the party on his own. The MLAs never complained about it all the decisions in the party were being taken collectively, he said.
Pala accepted the responsibility for failing to offset the move of the MLAs. “No one is perfect but the MLAs could have discussed any issue with me,” he said.
Accusing the MLAs of betraying Congress and the party workers who toiled to make them win the elections, he said the AICC has not weakened and is firm on its ideology.
He said no one wants to join parties such as the NPP and the All India Trinamool Congress. “Hence, they are trying to buy MLAs, MDCs and party leaders,” he added.
Pala maintained that he never wanted to be the party president but the MLAs wanted him to take charge for ushering in a change.
Asserting that he will not surrender or succumb to the “ill designs” of the BJP, he said Congress has known for quite some time who will stay in the party and who will leave. Preparations have accordingly been made, he added.
The Congress received a blow in November 2021 when 12 of its MLAs led by former chief minister Mukul M Sangma merged with the All India Trinamool Congress “officially”. The remaining five have now pledged their support to the MDA, which has the BJP as one of its constituents.
The AICC and MPCC were allegedly kept in the dark about the move.
One of the five told The Shillong Times why they chose to support the MDA. He said they were unhappy with the AICC for not going to court when the 12 MLAs had defected to the AITC and the Assembly Speaker held their merger valid. “The AICC showed it does not care about Meghalaya. So, we thought it was better to support the government and do something good for the people and the state,” the MLA said, adding there is no harm in supporting the MDA if it is for the general good.
The MLA said it was up to the AICC to take a call on suspending them from the party.