The working president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Thursday said that the exit of three Congress MLAs will not affect the party in the Gambegre by-election.
Syiem said that soon after Saleng A Sangma won the Tura Lok Sabha seat, the Congress was working hard to prepare itself for the by-election and retain the Gamegre seat.
“As soon as the Congress wrested the Tura Lok Sabha seat, the party workers especially Debora Marak are working hard to strengthen itself for the by-election,” the MPCC working president said.
However, he said that if legislators exit the party, no doubt there will be an effect but many (people) are looking up to the Congress as the only alternative in the state.
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.
Earlier there were reports that the exit of three Congress legislators is demoralising to the party ahead of the Gambegre by-polls.
Congress sources had informed that the party was looking for a revival in Meghalaya after Saleng A Sangma wrested the Tura Lok Sabha seat from Agatha A Sangma of the NPP, but the departure of the three legislators is 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 had said.