Former KHADC chief PN Syiem terms merger of 12 MLAs to AITC as "political suicide" for them
“Yes, it is very much a political suicide. Just this morning, I sat with some people from Garo Hills, they told me that Dr Mukul’s team will hardly get 2-3 seats (in the upcoming elections),” Syiem said.
SHILLONG:
Terming the defection of 12 MLAs to All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) as a "political suicide" for the leaders, Congress leader and former KHADC chief Pynshngain N Syiem stated that Mukul Sangma will not come back to power in 2023, come what may.
“Yes, it is very much a political suicide. Just this morning, I sat with some people from Garo Hills, they told me that Dr Mukul’s team will hardly get 2-3 seats (in the upcoming elections),” Syiem said.
He opined that it will take a very long time for AITC to establish themselves in Meghalaya, and the people in the state will not accept them. "Mukul's move to AITC marks his downfall in Garo Hills, " he said, maintaining that defecting to TMC is a big blunder for Mukul and team as the people of Meghalaya mostly favour regional parties.
“Do you think that people of Nongthymmai and Mawsynram will vote for TMC? It will take time for them to digest TMC, maybe for 10-15 years,” he said.
Syiem said with multiple parties in the fray after the defection, Congress has more chances to come back to power in 2023. “Inspite of this very bad situation, we are confident of retaining power in 2023,” he added.
Syiem also said that Congress was lucky that the defection had taken place one year ahead of the 2023 election.
“If it happened three months before elections, it would be a worse situation for the Congress party. But with one year, we have enough time to reorganise and re-strategise,” he said, emphasising on the need to have a state vision for the party to work if elected back to power.
Also stating that the Congress has many senior leaders and good workers, he said the Congress will have no problem coming back in the next election and forming the new government in the state.
Refuting the allegation that the MPCC chief Vincent H Pala was working against party legislators, Syiem said, “The allegation is wrong as in reality MLAs and MDCs are the first to be recommended as party candidates.”
“Many members from the Umroi BCC raised a question whether sitting MLA George Lyngdoh will be given ticket in 2023, but he (Pala) assured. Inspite of this assurance, Lyngdoh ran away,” he added.
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