By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 30: In a major political development, lone Congress MLA Ronnie V. Lyngdoh has resigned from the Congress and officially joined the National People’s Party (NPP), marking the end of the Congress party’s representation in the 60-member Assembly.
Lyngdoh submitted his resignation letter to Assembly Speaker Thomas A. Sangma on Wednesday.
“I have joined without any pre-condition. My only request to the Chief Minister is to ensure stability in the state and development for the people,” said Lyngdoh, adding that his decision was largely influenced by the wishes of his constituents.
“It was not my personal wish. In fact, I have been requested (to join NPP) since 2018. But since I was elected on a Congress ticket, I remained loyal to the party. Now that more than half the term has passed, my people feel we need development and stability,” he said.
When asked whether this move could lead to a conflict of interest with NPP leader Hamletson Dohling—whom Lyngdoh defeated in the 2023 elections—he said there is no such issue. “I am the elected MLA, Hamlet is a former MLA, and we are both working together for the people,” he added.
As for whether he will contest from the Mylliem seat again, Lyngdoh said, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Speaker Thomas A Sangma confirmed that he had accepted Lyngdoh’s resignation from the Congress and his merger with the NPP.
“I have received his resignation letter as well as his intent to merge with the National People’s Party. I reviewed the documents with the help of my staff and legal advisers,” the Speaker said.
“The letter submitted by Ronnie V Lyngdoh is valid and satisfies all criteria laid out under the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Hence, I have accepted his application,” Sangma stated. “He is now considered a member of the National People’s Party, with immediate effect,” he added.
The Speaker further said that any objections could be raised in keeping with democratic processes, but affirmed that his decision stands.
With this development, the number of NPP MLAs in the Assembly has increased to 33.
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma on Wednesday said that the High Court of Meghalaya will be formally notified that the petitioner, Ronnie V Lyngdoh, no longer wishes to pursue the disqualification proceedings against the three former Congress legislators.
“He was a complainant with the other MLAs. He said he no longer desires to continue and pursue that,” said Sangma. He said his lawyers and the lawyers of other MLAs will submit this information in the Court.
The Speaker had issued a notification on August 19, 2024, accepting the merger of the three Congress MLAs with NPP as they comprise two-third of the Congress MLAs in the Assembly.
Following this, Lyngdoh had moved the High Court against its three MLAs – Celestine Lyngdoh, Charles Marngar and Gabriel Wahlang.