AMN / SHILONG
Eight MLAs including five of the ruling Congress, resigned from the Meghalaya assembly today to join NDA constituent National People’s Party (NPP), just a few months ahead of elections.
Eight sitting legislators on Meghalaya including five from the Congress on Friday resigned to pave their way to join the National People’s Party early next month.
The eight legislators, include Siawbhalang Dhar (Nartiang LAC), Comingone Ymbon (Raliang LAC), Hopeful Bamon (Sutnga Saipung LAC), Stephanson Mukhim (Amlarem LAC), Prestone Tynsong (Pynursula LAC), Remington Pyngrope (Mawkynriew LAC), Rowell Lyngdoh (Mawkyrwat LAC) and Ngaitlang Dhar (Umroi LAC).
The legislators on Friday morning submitted their resignation letter to the Meghalaya Assembly Secretary, Andrew Simon at Legislative Assembly Speaker’s chamber.
Speaking to media persons after submitting their resignation, Prestone Tynsong said that though he was originally from Congress party, he had decided to leave party since leadership in the state had failed and there was no aspirations.
According to sources deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Comingone Ymbon, Prestone Tynsong and Ngaitlang Dhar of the Congress, Remington Pyngrope of the United Democratic Party and Independents Stephanson Mukhim and Hopeful Bamon gave up their assembly seats.
The five Congress legislators had earlier rebelled against Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and the party leadership. Four of the five Congress MLAs were part of the state cabinet and were sacked by the chief minister on the grounds of incompetence. Rowell, a veteran Congress leader, later announced that all the eight MLAs would join the NPP, also an alliance partner of the BJP in the Manipur government, at a rally in Shillong next week.
The NPP, led by Conrad K Sangma, son of former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma, has two MLAs in Meghalaya at present. With today’s resignation, which comes days after another MLA, PN Syiem, quit the Congress, the number of party MLAs in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly has come down to 24 from 30.However, there is no immediate threat to the Congress government as it has the support of nine Independents which takes its tally to 33. The term of the current House expires on March 6. Elections in Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura are due early next year.