In a major setback to the Congress, former Assembly Speaker, Abu Taher Mondal today resigned from the primary membership of the party.
Mondal who was the Congress legislator from Phulbari from 2013 to 2018 is likely to join the NPP and contest the 2023 Assembly elections.
There are speculations that the sitting NPP legislator from Phulbari, S G Esmatur Mominin may not be given a party ticket to contest the 2023 polls. He is likely to join the BJP.
Meanwhile, four-time MLA of Baghmara Samuel M. Sangma is also likely to join the BJP ahead of the 2023 polls.
Sangma had yesterday resigned as associate member of the UDP.
Elected as an independent MLA, he joined the UDP as associate member on September 16, 2018.
Speaking to media persons after submitting his letter to UDP chief and Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh yesterday, Sangma said he would soon join the BJP.
To make matters clear, Sangma was accompanied by BJP legislator Alexander L. Hek during the meeting with the Speaker.
It appeared that BJP is gaining ground in Garo Hills at the cost of the NPP and Congress.
Yesterday, two NPP legislators Benedic Marak (Raksamgre) and Ferlin C. Sangma (Selsella) resigned from the Assembly membership and also announced their intention to join the BJP.
On the same day, two sitting NPP MDCs – Dhormonath Sangma and former Chief Executive Member Dipul R. Marak and former MDC Sukharam K. Sangma joined the BJP.
While Dhormonath Sangma may contest from Tikrikilla, Dipul Marak is likely to contest from Rangsakona and Sukharam K. Sangma from Resubelpara constituency.