Shillong: Buzz around a possible political realignment involving former Meghalaya chief minister and Trinamool Congress leader Dr Mukul Sangma has been doing the rounds in state political circles, with speculation suggesting that he could switch sides and join the ruling National People’s Party.
The NPP, however, has firmly rejected the claims, describing them as unfounded talk.
A senior leader of the ruling party said there has been no outreach from the NPP to Mukul Sangma, nor has the former chief minister initiated any communication with the party regarding a change in affiliation.
The rumours have surfaced at a time when political activity in the state is intensifying ahead of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections.
A report claiming that Mukul was set to join the NPP appeared over the weekend, but it lacked confirmation from either the leader himself or from the ruling party, and was based entirely on conjecture.
The speculation has nonetheless sparked debate about whether such a development is even plausible.
The Trinamool Congress has seen its influence in Meghalaya diminish in recent months, with several leaders exiting the party.
Most recently, Mukul’s younger brother, Zenith Sangma, a former legislator, joined the Congress.
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The former chief minister had publicly distanced himself from his brother’s decision, questioning whether the move would help Zenith achieve his political objectives.
Both Dr Mukul Sangma and NPP national president and chief minister Conrad K Sangma are influential leaders from the Garo Hills region and have long been seen as rival contenders for the state’s top political post.
The prospect of the two leaders working within the same political fold may appear unlikely to many, but political observers note that unexpected shifts are not uncommon.
For now, the NPP has categorically maintained that talk of Dr Mukul Sangma joining the party has no basis.
