5 Congress MLAs likely to be suspended for supporting BJP backed MDA Govt

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 11, 2022

The five legislators of the opposition Congress are likely to be suspended for supporting the BJP backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government without the approval of the party high command.

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Vincent H Pala told reporters that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) is not in favor of the decision of the five MLAs to join the MDA government.

“I can boldly say that the high command is not in favor of the five MLAs joining the MDA government when I discussed the matter with them over phone and they will be taking action on the matter,” Pala said.

He further informed, “Likely the five MLAs will be suspended and a show cause notice will be given to them as to why they should not be expelled (from the party).”

Pala said that the MPCC has already given its report and is waiting for the direction of the AICC. He added that the decision to take action was due to the fact that Congress can never work with the BJP. “Ideologically we are in contrast,” he said.

The CLP leader Ampareen Lyngdoh and two others – Kimfa S Marbaniang and PT Sawkmie skipped the meeting.

Meanwhile, Pala informed that the two legislators – Mohendro Rapsang and Mayral Born Syiem, had sought for some time during the meeting. Syiem had also argued that if the party can work together with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra then why not in Meghalaya.

He said there are leaders who suggested that the party should take strong action against the MLAs and that the party should not compromise with its ideology while few asserted the need for the Congress to think properly on how to evolve and with whom to work.

“All these views and suggestions will be included in the letter to be sent to Delhi as it is out of my jurisdiction to take action in this regard,” Pala added.

When asked, the MPCC chief said that he has met and spoken to all MLAs individually.

“I was also talking to Ampareen and she told me that we cannot afford to stay in the opposition, that’s the main reason (they joined the government),” he said.

Pala said that it is not a question of infighting within the party as the support extended by the five MLAs to the MDA government was for their own interest, own plan and own vision.

“It is (also) monetary plus personal gain because they said if they stay in the opposition they will not get schemes, they will not get this and that and whatever,” he added.

On the allegation that the five MLAs are planning to join other political parties ahead of 2023 Assembly polls, Pala however said, “Whether they contest (from the Congress) or not, we are also not fools, we also know in advance who is who and what is what.”

Stating that the Congress is prepared to face the challenges ahead, the MPCC president said, “We are preparing our ground (for the upcoming Assembly polls). Honestly, I also know who is going to fight from us and who is not going to fight from us, so we should not be bothered about that because we are ready. We have a team and we are ready for that.”

Pala further informed that the legislators, who have left as well as those intended to leave the party, have never complained to him or to anybody that there is something wrong in the party.

“When Mukul left he gave his own statement, when Ampareen left she gave her own statement,” he said while maintaining that to say that he had taken decisions alone it is wrong.

When pointed out that the Congress is working with the Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Pala said that once cannot relate the political situation in Meghalaya with that of Maharashtra.

“The difference is that the Congress in Maharashtra before they joined the government, they got the sanction from the high command whereas here the CLP did not get proper sanction, the high command and MPCC were not consulted. That is the difference between Maharashtra and Meghalaya (situation),” he stated.