SHILLONG, March 28: It was a homecoming of sorts for Marbud Dkhar, who had cut all ties from the Congress last year, as he made a buoyant return to the grand-old party in a function at Mawlai Mawdatbaki indoor stadium here on Monday.
Dkhar was formally welcomed to the party by state Congress president, Vincent H Pala, working president of the party, PN Syiem, senior leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh and others.
On the occasion, the members of the newly formed Mawlai Block Congress Committee (MBCC) were formally inducted.
Speaking to reporters, Marbud Dkhar revealed that he had earlier deserted the party as he was not getting the support from Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie, who has been suspended from the party.
“It was difficult for me to continue with the Congress if I didn’t share a good relationship with the MLA. It was really frustrating since I wanted to work to strengthen the party,” he said.
Dkhar, however, expressed gratitude to the Congress leaders in the state for welcoming him with open arms.
He informed reporters that the block committee has already passed a resolution proposing his name as the party candidate to contest from Mawlai constituency in the upcoming 2023 Assembly polls.
Speaking at the function, party president Vincent Pala said the people are looking at the Congress as an alternative.
“I have toured various parts of the state in the past few months. People are telling me that they are going to vote for the Congress in the next election. But we need to work harder if we are to win maximum of the seats in next year’s Assembly polls,” Pala said.
Taking a dig at the state government, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief said that the NPP-led MDA coalition has failed on all fronts whether it is the health sector, education or initiating developmental activities across the state.
“Due to the fiscal mismanagement of the government, the state will not have to pay an interest of over Rs 1000 crore annually. This money could have been utilise for construction of roads, schools and hospitals across the state,” the MPCC chief added.