By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 1: North Shillong MLA Adelbert Nongrum on Monday dismissed speculations that he is planning to join either the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) or the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Speaking to reporters, Nongrum said such rumours are not new, recalling that similar speculation surfaced when former KHNAM president Paul Lyngdoh left the party.
“Even now, there are similar speculations about my political future, which are not true,” he clarified.
Nongrum said he prefers to let “time decide everything,” adding that he believes time will guide him to make the right political decision when necessary.
The North Shillong legislator, who was suspended from the Voice of the People Party (VPP) in March this year, maintained that he still considers himself a “full-fledged member” of the party.
Nongrum revealed that he had contemplated approaching the court two months ago to challenge what he described as his “illegal suspension.”
“There was so much suspense surrounding how the party leadership suspended me. Why take such a decision without giving me an opportunity to be heard?
They should have invited me for talks before suspending me,” he said, asserting that he has not accepted the party’s decision.
Nongrum stated that even the Assembly Speaker had clarified that he remains a full-fledged member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Responding to queries, he said he is still weighing whether to contest the VPP’s suspension order legally.
On March 28, the VPP suspended Nongrum for three years, citing anti-party activities. In a letter issued by VPP vice president Kara H Shen, the party stated that the MLA’s reply to a show-cause notice was “defensive, confrontational, and lacking remorse.”
The VPP had said Nongrum’s response reflected defiance of party discipline and principles, prompting his suspension under Article III, Clause 5 of the party constitution.
