Too early to decide: Former CM keeps options open on future
SHILLONG, June 24: The deepening political crisis confronting the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal is set to have direct ramifications on the party’s Meghalaya unit, Leader of Opposition Mukul M. Sangma has acknowledged.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Wednesday amid the ongoing turmoil in the parent organisation, Sangma admitted that challenges faced by the TMC at the national level will naturally impact its state units, including in Meghalaya.
On his personal political future and that of the state unit, the former Chief Minister kept options open, stating that it was too early to take a call and that any decision would depend on a careful assessment of the rapidly evolving national political situation and that it remains premature to draw conclusions.
Sangma described the current national political landscape as “abnormal” and unprecedented, where parties are compelled to navigate situations unlike anything seen before in India’s democratic history. He noted that political developments in one state increasingly create ripple effects across others, blurring federal distinctions between Parliament and state legislatures.
Without referring to any specific party, he criticised manoeuvres aimed at acquiring power, warning that such trends do not augur well for the nation’s democratic framework. He stressed that every political party must assess the fluid circumstances and respond accordingly.
Responding to speculation about possible return of some Meghalaya TMC leaders to Congress or other realignments, Sangma clarified that such talks are largely media-driven. No formal proposals have been placed before the party’s Working Committee, of which he is a member, and the matter has only been mentioned in passing.
His remarks have intensified discussions in Meghalaya over the future direction of the opposition party ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections. Sangma highlighted the unit’s grassroots strength amid the uncertainty triggered by the West Bengal crisis, even as the five TMC MLAs continue to project unity.
The veteran politician emphasised the need for leaders to anticipate future developments before determining the most appropriate course of action, leaving ample room for political speculation in the state’s corridors of power.
The TMC became the main opposition in Meghalaya after the November 2021 Congress split, with Sangma and 11 others joining the party.
The current national setbacks have revived questions about the sustainability of the state unit and potential shifts within the opposition landscape, though Sangma urged focus on larger systemic issues affecting democracy rather than immediate speculation.
