The opposition Congress in the State looks a divided house after Shillong Lok Sabha MP, Vincent H Pala was appointed Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president.
On two successive occasions former Chief Minister and leader of opposition, Dr. Mukul Sangma failed to attend programmes organised by the MPCC.
The first time Dr. Sangma gave a Congress function a miss was on September 16 when prominent leaders like Robert G. Lyngdoh and Pynshngain N. Syiem rejoined the party.
On Saturday, the leader of opposition also decided to stay away from the charge taking ceremony of Vincent H. Pala from outgoing MPCC chief Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh.
The leader of opposition’s absence from the function today held at the State Convention Centre, Shillong did not go unnoticed and Pala made his feelings clear when he addressed the party functionaries.
“He is not here because he is not happy with me,” Pala said even as he added that the party will take Dr. Sangma into confidence.
Later speaking to reporters, the new MPCC chief when asked to elaborate on his statement said that he wants to be transparent in his journey (as MPCC president).
“I don‘t want to hide the truth I want to be transparent in my journey because I know the people of Meghalaya are not fools,” he added.
Pala said that it is his job to go and meet Dr. Sangma.
The new MPCC president also said that the leader of opposition used to be “a dear friend of mine.”
Pala also said that it was too early to say against whom Dr. Sangma is displeased with, even as he added that he will always consider the leader of opposition to be the “boss and a friend” in the party.
When asked about the absence of Congress legislators from Garo Hills region, the MPCC president said that they were mainly Dr. Sangma’s family and friends.
“So naturally if he is not there others will not be. It is an open fact,” Pala said.
Not only did Dr. Sangma stayed away from the function, his brother and Rangsakona legislator Zenith Sangma, his wife Mahendraganj MLA Dikkanchi D. Shira, his daughter and Ampati MLA Miani D. Shira, Winnerson D. Sangma Salmanpara MLA, Mendipathar MLA and Working President Marthon J. Sangma, Tikrikilla MLA Jimmy D. Sangma and Chokpot MLA Lazarus M. Sangma were conspicuous by their absence.
Congress members said that Marthon was not keeping well and therefore could not attend the programme.
When asked if, he would take the advice of Dr. Sangma on issues pertaining Garo Hills region, Pala said that not only the former, but we will take advice of Zenith, former Chief Minister Salseng C. Marak and others who have left the party.
“It will not be my view or Dr. Mukul’s view alone it will be with the approval consultation with experience leaders of the party,” the MPCC president said.
