By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 18: Can two political rivals co-exist in a single party? This is the question playing out in the Congress with regard to speculations about Mukul M. Sangma’s possible return to the grand old party, especially since his “bitter rival” Saleng A. Sangma is now a Lok Sabha member from Tura.
In 2013, after being denied a Congress ticket for the Assembly elections, an aggrieved Saleng had blamed the then Chief Minister Mukul Sangma for “playing politics” and preventing him from getting a ticket. Saleng alleged that Mukul was scared he would “shine in Congress” and wanted to be at the top in Garo Hills, not wanting anyone else to do better than him.
Saleng resigned from the party shortly after the incident.
More recently, in January 2023, when Saleng rejoined the Congress party after Mukul had left for the TMC, he reiterated his accusation, stating, “The persons who kicked me out are no longer there…so that’s why I am in”.
Saleng had also called Mukul a “coward” for leaving the Congress.
However, despite the animosity between the two leaders, MPCC president Vincent H. Pala believes that both Mukul and Saleng can co-exist in the Congress.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Tuesday, Pala recalled that Mukul and Saleng were best friends and both know how to handle each other.
Stating that Mukul has not yet approached the Congress, Pala said he has not held any discussions with Saleng on the idea of bringing the former CM into the party.
Asked if the Congress is open to welcoming Mukul, Pala said it all depends on the All India Congress Committee.
Mukul was the most cherished Congress leader in Meghalaya before he and 11 other MLAs deserted the party in November 2021 to join the TMC. However, the Mamata Banerjee-led party has failed to make any impression in Meghalaya.
With Assembly elections due early 2028, there is a buzz that Mukul may return to the Congress. The buzz got louder after his younger brother and TMC leader Zenith Sangma returned to the Congress.
The Congress is poised to receive yet another major boost in Garo Hills, with former Salmanpara MLA and Mukul’s close aide Winnerson D Sangma, who had contested the last elections on a TMC ticket, preparing to rejoin the grand old party.
Similarly, Zenith’s wife and former GHADC MDC, Sadhiarani M Sangma is also set to rejoin the Congress.
Pala said many other leaders will join the Congress soon but refused to divulge their names.
Saleng recently ruled out the possibility of Mukul returning to Congress, even as he welcomed the latter’s younger brother Zenith M. Sangma back into the party fold.
Speaking to reporters, Sangma said that Mukul Sangma had made it “very clear” that he would not rejoin Congress.
“Dr Mukul has already said that he will never come back to the Congress. Even the media have reported his firm position on this,” he stated.
When asked if other former Congress or TMC legislators were likely to rejoin, the MP clarified that the party was not planning a blanket return for everyone.
“Congress is not willing to bring back all the legislators who left for the NPP or TMC. Some may return depending on the wishes of the people and the electorate. But not all of them might be good, and we have to choose wisely,” Saleng said candidly.
