SHILLONG, April 25: With less than a year left for voters to decide the fate of politicians and elect new members to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, claims and counter-claims of sitting legislators, party leaders and workers jumping ship have been making headlines on a daily basis.
The state Congress, which has been left deflated and without any representation in the Assembly, is not willing to write itself off yet. State Congress president, Vincent H Pala on Monday surprised everyone by claiming that some MLAs who had deserted the party and joined the All India Trinamool Congress and others who have extended support to the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, have expressed their desire to wear their former party’s coat again.
“Some of the MLAs called me expressing their desire to return to the party. Many former leaders who had followed these MLAs and went out of the party also want to come back,” Pala told reporters. Cementing his claim, Pala said they want to return to the Congress because their move to desert the party or go against the wish of the high command was an “error of judgment”.
He disclosed that Nongpoh MLA, Mayralborn Syiem had planned to join the UDP but UDP leaders expressed unhappiness over the development and some of them shifted to the Congress camp.
The same is the case with other MLAs, he said.
Talking about the Congress’ preparation for the 2023 polls, Pala said the grand old party will tread the electoral path alone.
Disclosing that a majority of the Congress leaders were against any pre-poll alliance, Pala said, “The majority is of the view that such a move will weaken the party. Our party workers will have to work for other parties if we decide to have a pre-poll alliance. Win or lose, it is better that we contest on our own,” Pala said.
He cited the case of Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Tripura where the Congress’ performance was abysmal due to the decision to have pre-poll alliances.
Pala also dismissed the statement made by AITC leader, Mukul Sangma that the Congress was an ‘ally’ of the NPP-led MDA Government.
“I think Dr Mukul must be referring to the time when suspended CLP leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh and four other MLAs were still with the party. But all the five MLAs have been suspended now. We have no connection with the present government,” Pala clarified.
Asked about the fate of the five MLAs, he said, “I got a call from an AICC leader informing me that the decision will be taken very soon.”
