SHILLONG, March 4: For the five suspended Congress MLAs, who attended the first day of two-week long Budget session of state Assembly on Friday, it was an experience similar to that of attending school for the first time, not knowing where to sit.
Suspended Congress Legislature Party leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh equated the initial confusion with that of a child’s first day in school. She said the five of them had to figure out where their seats are.
“I was literally looking for my seat in the new arrangement,” a smiling Lyngdoh, who joined the government along with the four other Congress MLAs, told reporters.
“It has been a pleasant experience thus far. By reaching out to various departments, I have been able to take up some pending issues. I am happy and looking forward to this new partnership,” she added.
She greeted her erstwhile party colleague and now All India Trinamool Congress state president, Charles Pyngrope by shaking hands. She exchanged pleasantries with him as well as other MLAs in and outside the House.
Her colleague Mayralborn Syiem said, “There is no difference. At the end of the day, we are legislators and representatives of our respective constituencies. We will just have to perform.”
The Nongpoh MLA was confident the five legislators will perform better by virtue of being in the treasury bench.
Stating that the places they sat might have changed but the issues of the people remain, he said they will actively participate during the session.
Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie also said they will raise issues and try to resolve them together. He said they feel comfortable being on the ruling side and they will work with the government for the state’s development.
When asked, senior BJP MLA, AL Hek said if somebody joins the treasury bench, the party cannot but welcome him/her.