SHILLONG, July 7: In an odd yet curious political development in the state, all of the five suspended Congress MLAs have officially announced their decision to support the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu in the presidential election slated for July 18.
Revealing this, one of the five MLAs, PT Sawkmie from Mawlai said that they have taken the decision after detailed deliberation.
Sawkmie explained that their support is based on the fact that Murmu is a tribal woman, who is likely to lead the highest constitutional post in the future.
With regard to their suspension, he maintained that that they have been expelled from the party and it is their free will to support the candidature of their wish.
Notably, a majority of the political parties in Meghalaya barring the All India Trinamool Congress have extended their support to the candidature of Draupadi Murmu.
The five Congress MLAs — Ampareen Lyngdoh, PT Sawkmie, Mohendro Rapsang, Mayralborn Syiem and Kimfa Marbaniang — were suspended by the Congress after they decided to extend their support to the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance, of which the BJP is a partner.
Earlier on Wednesday, NDA Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu had arrived at Orchid Lake Resort in Umiam to seek the support of the state legislators.