SHILLONG:
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has suspended its five legislators in the state for extending their support to the National People’s Party (NPP)-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) in which BJP is already a partner.
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president, Vincent H Pala, informed that the decision has been taken and the formal letter from the AICC will be sent on Monday.
It may be mentioned that the state executive committee of the MPCC had met on Friday to discuss the development and sent a report to the AICC with certain recommendations.
“After the MLAs receive the suspension order show-cause notices will be issued to them”, the MPCC president said.
Pala said that if the MLAs decide to withdraw their support to the MDA government, their suspension will be revoked but if they decide to stick with the coalition, the party will initiate the process of their expulsion.
If the five are expelled they will function as independents legislators.
It may be mentioned that most of the MPCC leaders at the meeting on Friday were not happy with the five joining the MDA coalition especially with the BJP supporting the government.
The members wanted the legislators to withdraw support to the NPP led alliance.
On February 8, East Shillong MLA and Congress Legislature Party leader Ampareen Lyngdoh, Process T Sawkmie (Mawlai), Mohendro Rapsang (West Shillong), Mayralborn Syiem (Nongpoh) and Kimfa Marbaniang (Rambrai-Jyrngam) lent their support to the MDA government without the approval of either the AICC or the MPCC.
The legislators informed mediapersons that the decision was taken “to ensure we have each other’s back”.
The Congress had won 21 seats in the 2018 Assembly elections in the state but the count went down to 17, of whom 12 joined the Trinamool Congress in November last year.
The BJP had also said that it has no issues with the Congress joining the MDA coalition.
M Chuba Ao, national vice president of the BJP, in charge Meghalaya had on Friday said, “If they join its good…no harm. There is no more Congress in Meghalaya. Congress-mukt Meghalaya is already under process.”