Two days after joining the Trinamool Congress, former chief minister Dr. Mukul Sangma today indicated that his party is in talks with leaders from other political parties to woo them into the party.
A meeting of all twelve former Congress MLAs who merged with Trinamool Congress met at the residence of Dr. Sangma today and unanimously elected him as parliamentary party leader in the Assembly.
Umroi MLA George B. Lyngdoh was elected as chief whip of the party while Mawsynram MLA Himalaya M Shangpliang was elected as secretary of the parliamentary party.
With twelve legislators on its side, the Trinamool Congress has automatically become the main opposition party in the State Assembly in place of Congress.
As such, Dr. Sangma being the parliamentary party leader of the party is the leader of opposition in the House. However, the same will have to be officially notified by the Assembly Speaker.
Dr. Sangma also denied the allegations made by State Congress president Vincent Pala that the twelve legislators joined the Trinamool Congress as they were power hungry.
“We could have been in power if we wanted to be,” Dr. Sangma said.
He also said that the decision by the twelve MLAs to merge with Trinamool Congress was welcomed by most supporters and sympathizers.
“They (supporters) said that they are with me and the team and are ready to give their support to our new party,” Dr. Sangma said.
The former chief minister also said that Trinamool Congress will form the next government in the State in 2023.
It may be noted that on November 24 twelve MLAs from the Congress left the party and merged themselves with the Trinamool Congress.
The legislators include all eight from Garo Hills and four from Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills.
Apart from Mukul Sangma (Songsak), the other MLAs from Garo Hills are Zenith M Sangma (Rangsakona), Dikkanchi D. Shira (Mahendraganj), Miani D. Shira (Ampati), Winnerson D. Sangma (Salmanpara), Marthon D. Sangma (Mendipathar), Jimmy D. Sangma (Tikrikilla) and Lazarus Sangma (Chokpot).
From Khasi-Jaiñtia Hills region, those who quit the Congress include Charles Pyngrope (Nongthymmai), George B. Lyngdoh (Umroi), Himalaya Shangpliang (Mawsynram) and Shitlang Pale (Sutnga Saipung).
The Congress has been reduced to just five MLAs in the House of 60. They include Ampareen Lyngdoh (East Shillong), Mohendro Rapsang (West Shillong), Process T. Sawkmie (Mawlai), Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh) and Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang (Rambrai Jyrngam).
