Many MLAs to switch parties

SHILLONG, Nov 17: Come December and many sitting MLAs are likely to switch over to the parties they plan to contest the 2023 Assembly polls from.
Sources said six MLAs planning to contest the upcoming polls from the NPP could join the party in December.
Three among them are suspended Congress MLAs – Ampareen Lyngdoh (East Shillong), Mohendro Rapsang (West Shillong) and Kimfa S Marbaniang (Rambrai-Jyrngam).
The others set to join the NPP are Cabinet Minister Hamletson Dohling (Mylliem) and Jason Sawkmie Mawlong (Umsning), both People’s Democratic Front MLAs. The sixth is Samlin Malngiang, the HSPDP legislator and former Cabinet minister representing Sohiong.
Sources said the NPP has planned a grand reception to welcome the six MLAs into the party fold.
They also said five of the MLAs are planning to join the NPP in their respective constituencies in the presence of their leaders and supporters.
There are reports that some MLAs from the Garo Hills are also planning to join the NPP. December is also likely to see four MLAs join the United Democratic Party. They include two suspended Congress legislators – Process T Sawkmie (Mawlai) and Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh).
The other two are HSPDP legislator from Mawkyrwat, Renikton L Tongkhar and Nongkrem’s independent MLA Lambor Malngiang.
So far, Trinamool Congress MLA from Mawsynram, Himalaya Shangpliang is the only one likely to join the BJP. There are speculations that NPP legislators Ferlin CA Sangma (Selsella) and Benedict R Marak (Raksamgre) may also join the saffron party in December.
It may be recalled that even before the 2018 Assembly polls, several sitting MLAs had shifted base from their party to others.
Five Congressmen — Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Ngaitlang Dhar, Comingone Ymbon and (L) Rowell Lyngdoh had joined the NPP prior to the elections.
The other MLAs who had join the NPP were Remington Pyngrope from UDP and two Independent MLAs, Stephanson Mukhim and Hopeful Bamon
Four more legislators — AL Hek (Congress), Sanbor Shullai (NCP) and two Independents, Justine Dkhar and Robinus Syngkon — had joined the BJP weeks ahead of the 2018 elections.