Congress capable of a big return in 2023: Ampareen

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 25, 2021

Congress working president and East Shillong legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh on Thursday said do not underestimate the Congress as it is capable of a big return in 2023.

Lyngdoh told reporters that in 2018, the party won 21 seats despite many leaders either leaving the party or didn’t contest the elections.

“Let me remind you all that those numbers were not only located in only one part of the state, we have a vote share across the state as you have seen in the win of the MP in his third election which was very commanding,” she stated.

She was reacting to the decision of the 12 Congress MLAs led by former chief minister Mukul Sangma to merge with the TMC. Lyngdoh and four other MLAs decided to remain with Congress.

When asked, Lyngdoh reminded that Mukul Sangma has been blessed by the Congress.

“Dr Mukul is the man that he is today is because of Congress, do not forget that. He has been blessed by the Congress, and if you bite that hand that feeds you, I’m sure that time will tell, we are not in a hurry to accuse anyone of anything,” she said.

She also asked why he did not talk to the AICC when he was still leader of the party.

“He (Mukul) was our chief minister, how come so late in his political career suddenly the AICC becomes his enemy?”

Admitting that the merger was a big blow to the Congress, Lyngdoh said, “We will not fall for the gimmick of one individual, he (Mukul) has managed to take away 11 MLAs from our party. Yes it was a big jolt, why should we deny that but we will meet again in the election field in 2023.”