SHILLONG, Oct 17: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Vincent H Pala said he would be happy to be either the Chief Minister of Meghalaya or in the opposition after the 2023 Assembly polls.
Reacting to a query if he would project himself as the chief ministerial candidate, Pala said he does not consider himself as the CM candidate as the Congress party does not have a system to decide on a CM before the elections.
“But I will be happy to be CM if I get a chance. I will also be happy to serve the people by being in the opposition,” he said, adding that it is natural for political leaders to aim higher in their political careers.
He cited the example of elected MDCs who want to be executive members or the chief executive member and MLAs who want to be ministers.
Pala, a three-time Lok Sabha member from Shillong, is set to contest from the Sutnga-Saipung constituency against former party colleague turned Trinamool Congress MLA Shitlang Pale.
The MPCC chief said he is doing well in his constituency, pointing out that his vote share from the Sutnga-Saipung segment of the Lok Sabha constituency has always been the highest.
Ever since Pala’s appointment as the MPCC chief in 2021, the grand old party has witnessed an exodus of MLAs and senior leaders to other parties.
The outward procession began with 12 sitting MLAs, led by Mukul Sangma and Charles Pyngrope, shifting base to the Trinamool Congress in November last year. The Congress was yet to recover from the setback when the remaining five MLAs decided to extend support to the NPP-led MDA government in February this year.
Congress was left with no option but to suspend the five for anti-party activities.
The five MLAs are unlikely to return to Congress and the party has more or less decided to put up fresh candidates in the seats they represent — East Shillong (Ampareen Lyngdoh), West Shillong (Mohendro Rapsang), Mawlai (PT Sawkmie), Nongpoh (Mayralborn Syiem) and Rambrai-Jyrngam (Kimfa Marbaniang).
“All of them who have left are seasoned politicians and they knew the consequences when they joined the alliance. The question of sending feelers does not arise,” Pala said, asserting the party was betting on some of their replacements to win.
Asked if the party would expel the five legislators, Pala said there is a system in the party for the expulsion of the leaders.
He said the party had to call for an explanation and it would be unfair to expel them until and unless they give their response. “There is a committee in the party, which directly deals with the matter of expulsion of the leaders,” he said.
He dismissed “rumours” about Mukul Sangma sending feelers to return to Congress.
