SHILLONG: Former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mukul Sangma, along with party leader Charles Pyngrope, has not shown any inclination towards returning to the Congress party, the working president of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Pynshngain N Syiem said on December 11.
Speaking to a local daily, Syiem revealed, “So far, we have not received any feedback from any of the five TMC MLAs.”
He dismissed reports claiming that Pyngrope had set a condition for his return, insisting there was no truth to such assertions.
Syiem expressed skepticism about the TMC MLAs considering a return to the Congress, given the current political landscape in the state.
AICC secretary in-charge of Meghalaya, Manish Chatrath, had previously claimed that some former Congress leaders in the state were in touch with him for a re-entry into the party, without disclosing names.
While Chatrath acknowledged people’s tendency to return to a winning party, he left it to the MPCC chief to disclose details about those interested in rejoining the Congress.
Speculations surrounding the former Chief Minister’s potential departure from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to another political party have been rampant in recent weeks.
Adding credence to these rumours, the BJP state president, Rikman G Momin, openly welcomed Sangma to join the Saffron party on November 27.
Despite expressing his readiness to approach the former chief minister, Momin clarified that he currently lacks information about Sangma’s meetings with the party leadership.
Meanwhile, regarding the impact of recent Assembly elections in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh on Meghalaya, Syiem stated, “I do not see any setback for the Congress since the strategies of fighting the election in each and every state election are different.”
He acknowledged the BJP’s strategic decision not to project Chief Ministerial candidates in these elections as a beneficial move.
Addressing concerns about sitting MP Vincent H Pala, Syiem expressed confidence in the people’s continued support for Pala in 2024.
He cited Pala’s approachability and leadership qualities as factors that would work in his favour.
Syiem also clarified that the party is not in a hurry to announce its candidate for the Shillong seat, given the presence of a sitting MP.
