SHILLONG, Oct 7: Lok Sabha member from Shillong and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Vincent H Pala is all set to make an entry into the state politics via the upcoming Assembly polls.
Revealing this here on Friday, Congress working president PN Syiem confirmed Pala’s plan to contest from the Sutnga-Saipung constituency against former party colleague turned Trinamool Congress MLA Shitlang Pale.
Syiem said Congress is not projecting anyone as the chief ministerial face since the party has a tradition of the elected MLAs choosing their leader of the House.
Ever since Pala’s appointment as the MPCC chief in 2021, followed by the exodus of several Congress MLAs and senior leaders to other parties, there have been speculations that he may make an entry into state politics.
Syiem said the party will do well under the leadership of Pala as he is very popular among the masses.
He also said none of the five suspended Congress MLAs have shown any signs of returning and neither was the party keen on welcoming them back.
“We should make sure that we prepare well and there is no time to look at them,” Syiem said, adding that the expulsion of the five leaders would be taken by the AICC as the state Congress cannot take a call on the matter.
Meanwhile, former BJP leader John Antonius Lyngdoh joined Congress on Friday in a boost for the grand old party in North Shillong. He joined Congress along with his supporters at a felicitation programme.
Lyngdoh’s entry is expected to make the battle for the North Shillong seat tougher for contenders such as sitting KHNAM legislator Adelbert Nongrum and former Director of Health Services Aman War who is set to be the UDP candidate. Others eyeing the constituency are former PWD executive engineer Ransom Sutnga (from NPP), retired police officer Mariahom Kharkrang and social activist Michael Kharsyntiew – both vying for the BJP ticket.
Speaking on the occasion, Lyngdoh urged the public to ensure that money power does not play any role in the upcoming elections and called upon them to strengthen the party in the constituency.
Lyngdoh quit the BJP a few days ago.
“We don’t want legislators who are contractors and coal transporters,” Syiem said, asserting that the party will be no pushover in the constituencies straddling Shillong.
Stating that the people of the state are fed up with the MDA government due to corruption and price rise, he expressed concern over the condition of the SSA teachers facing joblessness.
