By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The aspiring candidates of Trinamool Congress are planning to contest as Independents after the party leadership has decided not to field any candidates from the party for the upcoming Assembly elections in the State.
Confirming this, the Convener of Trinamool Congress in Meghalaya , Ashahel D Shira said over phone from Kolkata on Monday that the TMC leadership has no plan to field any candidates as the party would be busy in the Panchayat elections in West Bengal. Moreover, three by-elections will be held in that.
However, according to sources, the main reason seems to be the uncertainty over its candidates winning the February 23 elections, considering the Meghalaya scenario where there are too many parties vying for just 60 seats.
Shira said that all the members, who joined the party, will have to resign now due to the decision of the party higher-ups.
He also said that around 19 aspiring candidates from TMC, who wished to join the electoral fray will now contest as Independents.
Shira, who was instrumental in forming TMC unit in Meghalaya, has also decided to contest as an Independent candidate.
The last minute decision of TMC not to filed any candidate has come as a shock for several candidates as they have already started preparing for the elections.
Earlier one Serimina Marak, who was part of one of the committees of TMC in the State, has decided not to get associated with the party due to the delay in fielding the candidates.
Marak is also one of the aspiring candidates.
Earlier on December 14 last, Shira during a news conference in Shillong announced the formation of Meghalaya Pradesh Trinamool Congress. The intention was to contest at least in 35 seats with a focus on providing alternate political platform in the State.
There was a plan to set up the main office of the party at Paramount Complex in Tura and another one in Shillong.