SHILLONG, March 28: There seems to be no end to the Congress’ troubles in Meghalaya.
Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC, Bajop Pyngrope along with 20 office-bearers of the Rambrai-Jyrngam Block Congress Committee (BCC) resigned from the primary membership of the grand old party on Monday.
They are all set to join the ruling National People’s Party on March 31.
Pyngrope along with the office bearers submitted their joint resignation letter at the Congress Bhavan.
Laitumkhrah-Malki MDC, Fantin J Lakadong had earlier left Congress to associate himself with the NPP.
Pyngrope told reporters that he does not see any future in Congress due to the internal conflict at the state and also at the national level.
“All the AICC secretaries in charge of different states are corrupt, resulting in the decline of the party. The party leadership is not ready to listen to the views and opinions of the party workers and leaders at the grassroots level. All the decisions have been imposed from the top,” he said.
He recalled a majority of the MLAs and MDCs having recommended that former Congress MLA, Charles Pyngrope be appointed as the MPCC chief.
“But the AICC decided not to take the views of the elected representatives. The MPCC chief, Vincent H Pala and former CLP leader, Mukul M Sangma cannot tolerate each other. That was the beginning of the downfall of the Congress,” Pyngrope said.
He said the MPCC committed a huge blunder by suspending the five MLAs for supporting the NPP-led MDA government.
“These five MLAs remained in the party after 12 others had quit. You cannot suspend them for deciding to support the incumbent government,” the Rambrai-Jyrngam MLA said.
Pyngrope said he is yet to see the letter of the AICC seeking the suspension of the five MLAs.
“It is surprising the MPCC leadership always claims that the decision to suspend the five MLAs was taken on the directive of the AICC,” he said.
Pyngrope on Monday claimed there are no more takers for a Congress ticket to contest the upcoming 2023 Assembly polls.
“Earlier, everyone would fight for a Congress ticket. Now the party is pleading with people to contest from the party,” he said, confirming his move to the NPP.
According to him, the only option now for Congress is to look for ex-MLAs and former leaders to contest from the party.
The Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC also claimed Congress leaders from two districts are expected to join the NPP shortly.
Pyngrope said he weighed the NPP’s effort to solve the long-pending interstate boundary problem before deciding to join the party. “No other party has done as much,” he added.
According to him, 98% of the villages of the three areas of difference – Tarabari, Hahim and Gizang – falling under his constituency would come to Meghalaya.
“We are losing two villages including Malchapara. But Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has assured that he would try to see that Malchapara should come to Meghalaya,” he said.