Shillong, Oct 29: Former MLA Zenith Sangma returned to the Congress Party today while regretting that he left the party for the Trinamool Congress four years ago.
Speaking at a special meeting convened by the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) to welcome him back, Zenith described his return as a “conscious and heartfelt decision” to reunite with what he called his “old family.”
“I had been with the Congress for more than two decades, and even when I was away, I often questioned whether I had done injustice by leaving. Today, I have rejoined voluntarily and wholeheartedly because this is where I truly belong,” he said.
Zenith, the former MLA for Rangsakona, resigned from the TMC yesterday and his rejoining the Congress was approved by the party high command. His move could prove to be significant ahead of next year’s Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections.
There was no word, however, on whether the rest of his family will follow suit. His wife Sadhiarani Sangma is the MDC for Dengnakpara, while his older brother Dr Mukul Sangma is a former Chief Minister, sitting MLA and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly. Mukul’s daughter Miani D Shira is also a sitting MLA and his wife Dikkanchi D Shira was a former legislator. Both Dikkanchi and Zenith lost their seats in the 2023 state election while contesting on TMC tickets.
When asked about Mukul, Zenith remained tight-lipped, saying, “He is a tall leader and has his own thought process. It’s best to ask him directly.”
Speaking on his own motivations, Zenith, who previously served as a cabinet minister and state Youth Congress president, said that he desires to “fight corruption and rescue the people” from what he termed the “destructive and corrupt governance” of the current administration.
“In Meghalaya, we see rampant corruption in all departments and sectors. This government is destroying the state. By being back with the Congress, I can more effectively take on this corrupt system,” he asserted.
When asked whether his rejoining came with conditions, Zenith was firm, “No condition. This was my conscious decision. I have come back because I want to serve the people, not for any position or personal gain.”
The event, held here, was attended by A Chellakumar, AICC secretary and in-charge for Meghalaya, Matthew Antony, AICC joint secretary, Tura MP Saleng A Sangma and Meghalaya Congress president and former Shillong MP Vincent H Pala, along with other senior Congress leaders. The party also welcomed Lionel Nongkhlaw and Ploster Syiem into its ranks. Nongkhlaw is a social activist and Syiem a former police officer who had been a member of the United Democratic Party until recently.
Chellakumar, while welcoming Zenith, said his return symbolised the strength and resilience of the Congress.
“Zenith Sangma has been part of the Congress family since his youth. He has served in various capacities, from MLA to minister and AICC secretary. Though he left for a short while, he has realised that only Congress can uphold the secular and constitutional values of this nation,” said Chellakumar.
He also launched a scathing attack on the NPP-led state government, accusing it of failing to control drug abuse and rising HIV cases.
“This government has failed to act against the drug mafia and is hand in glove with them. Instead of serving the people, they are focused on enriching themselves,” he said, adding that the Congress will “take up these issues head-on.”
Pala said the return of leaders like Zenith reflected a growing realisation that “the Congress remains the only party that defends secularism and unity.”
“Their intention in joining us is to fight against communal forces and work for progress. When Congress is weak, society becomes weak. It’s high time for people of Meghalaya and India to bring Congress back,” Pala said.
As the meeting concluded, the mood within the party was buoyant – seen as a morale boost for the Congress after a series of high-profile defections over the last several years.
For Zenith, the return marks both a political and personal homecoming, one, he admits, that was long overdue. “I left for some reasons but I always knew my roots. The Congress is not just a party, it’s a movement and I’m proud to be back,” he said.
