SHILLONG:
Sounder Strong Cajee will formally join the opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on September 24.
Cajee has decided to contest against HSPDP legislator and cabinet minister Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar from Mawkyrwat constituency in the upcoming 2023 assembly elections in the state.
The decision was taken after people of the constituency had requested him to join the AITC citing that it is the only progressive force which can defeat the current NPP-led dispensation.
In 2018, Cajee had unsuccessfully contested on an NPP ticket from South Shillong constituency.
Cajee, while interacting with Mawkyrwat Constituency Socio, Economical and Political Awareness Committee leaders in a meeting in Mawkyrwat, received overwhelming requests to join the AITC.
According to a press statement by the AITC, Cajee has given precedence to the people’s will, who want him to be a part of the party and contest elections on the party’s ticket.
“He has discussed his will to join Meghalaya TMC’s mission with the party’s leadership, who have agreed that it is the most appropriate step,” the party statement said.
Cajee also expressed his desire to contest election from Mawkyrwat on the party’s ticket, as a true tribute to the people’s demand.
According to the party, he strongly believes that AITC is the only force which stands with the people of Meghalaya.
“It is the only party that raises pertinent issues of Meghalaya at the national level like inclusion of language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution and border dispute,” Cajee said.