Shillong, Oct 12: The exit of three Congress legislators is demoralising to the party ahead of the Gambegre by-polls party insiders has revealed. The by-poll which was necessitated after Saleng A Sangma quit the seat since he was elected as Tura Member of Parliament will be held sometime in November-December.
It may be mentioned that The three MLAs, Charles Marngar of Mawhati, Gabriel Wahlang of Nongstoin, and Celestine Lyngdoh of Umsning Assembly constituency joined the National People’s Party (NPP) in August leaving the Grand Old party with a lone MLA in the form of Ronnie V Lyngdoh.
Congress sources informed that the party was looking for a revival in Meghalaya after Saleng wrested the Tura Lok Sabha seat from Agatha A Sangma of the NPP, but the departure of the three legislators is now a dampener.
“The momentum that the party got after the Congress’ win in Tura seems to have been negated with the exit of three MLAs,” sources said.
Sources also informed that the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leadership is uninspiring to say the least.
“We need someone who can galvanise the Congress workers. The party president (Vincent Pala) should take the mantle to revive the fortune of the party in Meghalaya,” sources said.
Sources felt that the mood of the citizens of the state is palpable, that they are disappointed with the current government even as it added that the party has been inconsistent to take up issues affecting the public.
The Congress sources said that the party needs a strong team which would be able to take the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) headon, on various issues.
Political observers said that Pala has failed to rejuvenate the party in the State ever since he was appointed as MPCC president on August 25, 2021.
It was under Pala’s leadership that the Congress lost 12 MLAs in November 2021 when former chief minister Dr. Mukul Sangma along with 11 other Congress MLAs resigned from the party and merged with the Trinamool Congress.
Later in February 2022, five remaining Congress MLAs – Ampareen Lyngdoh, Mayralborn Syiem, Mohendro Rapsang, Kimfa Marbaniang and Process T. Sawkmie announced their decision to join the NPP-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government in the State.
That Pala himself lost the Assembly elections in 2023 from Sutnga-Saipung constituency to a political newbie Santa Mary Shylla of NPP speaks volume about his lack of popularity.
Party leaders felt that the Congress high command should seriously examine the downslide of the party in Meghalaya and the lack of leadership quality in Pala.
