SHILLONG, Aug 3: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) which made a grand entry in Meghalaya in November 2021 by roping in twelve sitting MLAs, including the likes of Mukul Sangma and Charles Pyngrope, is now staring at a dead end with no plans of its revival in the state.
Leader of Opposition and TMC stalwart Mukul Sangma on Sunday indicated that there are no active plans to revive or restructure the party in Meghalaya.
He also indicated the possibility of his political shift, saying the same will depend on the evolving needs and sentiments of the people.
Sangma stated that since the party’s inception in Meghalaya, no serious attempts were made to build or strengthen TMC’s organisational structure in a conscious and sustained manner.
He said the party had only participated in a single election cycle and acknowledged that while there was initial enthusiasm and political traction when he and his colleagues joined the TMC, the momentum could not be fully translated into a strong support base or vote bank.
He noted that many people gravitated toward the party during its early phase due to the emergence of a new political identity, which briefly acted as a magnetic force.
However, the lack of follow through in consolidating this momentum led to a gradual decline in its influence in the state.
Sangma maintained that this shift was understandable given the broader political environment at the time and required deeper analysis.
On whether he plans to stick with the TMC or consider another political route, Sangma said his primary commitment was fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him as a legislator and Leader of Opposition.
He pointed to the intense electoral contest during the Gambegre bye-election, highlighting how the ruling party (read NPP) had to deploy significant resources, including the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in the constituency for an extended period, to counter the TMC challenge.
According to him, this demonstrated that his party was a formidable force despite prevailing narratives suggesting otherwise.
On his political future, Sangma said he did not want to speculate like an astrologer. However, he asserted that any strategic decision would be guided by the expectations of the people and the state’s larger interests.
Responding to a query that the TMC’s influence is now limited only to Garo Hills, Sangma refrained from drawing conclusions, stating that the political dynamics in the state are constantly shifting and that every party, including his, is under public scrutiny.
