SHILLONG, Dec 10: The Congress is poised to sever ties with the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Executive Committee (EC) in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), with an official withdrawal likely before the upcoming winter session of the Council, scheduled to commence on December 19.
Party sources on Tuesday informed The Shillong Times that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) have been pressuring the party’s two MDCs — Deputy Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pynshngain N Syiem and Ronnie V Lyngdoh — to end their support for the ruling coalition. Lyngdoh is also a sitting Congress MLA.
Both Syiem and Lyngdoh have reportedly sought time to make their decision. However, party insiders have suggested that the withdrawal is inevitable due to mounting pressure from party leaders and grassroots workers. “It is only a matter of time before the two MDCs respect the sentiments of the majority of the party,” stated a party source.
The decision comes amidst concerns that continuing the alliance with the NPP could harm the Congress’s prospects in the upcoming MDC elections, likely to take place on February 22 next year. The party has faced criticism for supporting the NPP-led EC while simultaneously opposing the NPP at the state level.
For years, the Congress had justified its alliance in the KHADC, citing the need to influence the amendment of the Sixth Schedule. However, with the amendment stalled in Parliament, party leaders now argue there is no justification for remaining in the coalition. The decision to withdraw is also seen as a strategic move to distance the Congress from the ruling party’s alleged shortcomings before the elections.
A letter from the District Congress Committees (DCCs) and the party’s frontal wings to AICC secretary in charge of Meghalaya, Dr A Chella Kumar, had cited the urgency of the withdrawal. It stated that during a recent general meeting, several block and district presidents urged Syiem and Lyngdoh to sever ties with the NPP-led EC. The MPCC president, Vincent H Pala, also supported this recommendation, highlighting the need for a clear and independent stance ahead of the elections.
“We believe the time to act is now, especially with the elections fast approaching. Failure to withdraw from the coalition risks damaging our credibility and electoral prospects,” the letter read. It further warned that disciplinary action should be taken against the MDCs if they fail to comply with the directive.
Underscoring the importance of unity, the letter also stated, “This step is essential to demonstrate the party’s resolve to contest the elections from a strong, independent position and secure the trust and confidence of our supporters.”
It may be noted that this tactic of aligning with the ruling coalition only to withdraw before elections is not new in Meghalaya politics. Various parties have adopted similar strategies in the past to avoid being tainted by the alleged misdeeds of the government while retaining the benefits of being in power.
As the deadline for the expected pull-out looms, all eyes will be on the two Congress MDCs to see how they navigate this critical juncture.
