SHILLONG, Oct 18: In a clear message that they are “down but not out”, the Congress party is determined to put up candidates in all the 24 seats across the five districts of Garo Hills.
Prior to November 2021, the party had eight MLAs in the Garo Hills region — Mukul M Sangma (Songsak), Dikkanchi D Shira (Mahendraganj), Miani D Shira (Ampati), Zenith Sangma (Rangsakona), Marthon J Sangma (Mendipathar), Jimmy D Sangma (Tikrikilla), Winnerson D Sangma (Salmanpara) and Lazarus M Sangma (Chokpot), all of which are now with the Trinamool Congress.
MPCC working president Deborah C Marak said preparations were going on in Garo Hills and the party would contest in all the 24 seats expecting to win most of the seats, if not all.
Admitting that the Congress had suffered a setback when senior leaders deserted the party, Deborah recalled that even (L) Purno A Sangma had left the Congress and joined the TMC but since he could not ensure success for the party in the state, he had to form his own party.
“The leaders may have run away but the voters are still with the Congress,” Deborah said, adding that the party would contest the forthcoming election on the issue of “corruption” instances of which have been galore in the in the last five years.
Asked if the TMC would pose a challenge to the Congress in Garo Hills, she said: “I don’t think there will be much impact on us due to the TMC because the fight in Garo Hills will be between the Congress and the NPP.”
