SHILLONG: The Congress has claimed that a number of leaders who once left the Congress party are now expressing a desire to return.
“Some people are in touch with me. I am not taking any individual names here but as and when the proposal comes to the Pradesh Congress Committee president and forwarded to the AICC, the decision will be taken accordingly,” AICC general secretary in charge of Meghalaya, Manish Chatrath told the press in Shillong on Thursday.
Though tight-lipped about specific names from Meghalaya, he confirmed that several individuals have reached out to him.
“Any re-entry proposal presented to the Pradesh Congress Committee president, and subsequently relayed to the AICC, will be assessed appropriately,” he said.
When questioned about the potential return of Meghalaya’s former Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma, Chatrath remained non-committal, suggesting that the Meghalaya PCC president would be more informed on the matter.
In terms of poll predictions, Chatrath exuded confidence about Congress’s prospects in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. He voiced a strong belief in the party winning both the Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha seats.
“Given the robust alliances we’ve forged with key parties and leaders under the INDIA banner, we anticipate a decisive shift in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls,” he expressed.
Adding to the discourse, Meghalaya Congress president, Vincent H Pala, clarified the party’s stance on the selection process for MP and MDC elections.
Pala highlighted that numerous leaders from the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and Garo Hills regions have shown interest in contesting under the Congress banner. He also mentioned that MLAs might express interest in the forthcoming autonomous district council elections, which the party would consider, keeping regulatory norms in mind.
Discussing the allotment of tickets for the MDC elections, Pala stressed on the crucial role played by individual blocks. He stated, “The decision rests largely with the blocks and their recommendations. The party’s primary principle is simple – any member has the right to seek a party ticket.”
