In a major jolt to Congress in Meghalaya, its candidate from Dadenggre assembly constituency Augustine D. Marak joined Meghalaya TMC on Tuesday. Along with him, around 200 supporters from different political parties joined TMC in presence of party’s candidate Rupa M Marak and Dadenggre Block President Jengga Jilinga M Marak.
The event was also attended by District convenor in charge for Phulbari and Tikrikilla Polmonsing Sangma, Dadenggre TMC Block Committee advisor Mickel G Momin, Meghalaya TMC Working President in Dadenggre Boaz Marak, Meghalaya TMC General Secretary in Dadenggre Levastone T Sangma and Ex-MDC Jengjal.
The joining event comes a day after Augustine D Marak decided to withdraw his candidature to support Meghalaya TMC’s vision for the state.
Elaborating on his decision to join Meghalaya TMC, he said, “Some reports have come out suggesting that the votes might get split between Congress and TMC and this might benefit the party that is not fit to win. This is why I am taking Vincent Pala head-on for abandoning Garo Hills. People from Kolkata have visited this part multiple times but he couldn’t come here from Shillong.”
Explaining the reason for his decision to resign from Congress and giving up Congress ticket, Augustine stated that everyone needed to get together to ensure their candidate wins.
“They have a well oiled mechanism and the only way to defeat them is to join together. We will ensure James is no longer an MLA after the elections in 2023,” said the former MLA.
Expressing his delight for the support extended by ‘uncle’ Augustine D Marak, Meghalaya TMC leader Rupa Marak said, “With the support from uncle and several leaders who are here to support me, I am very confident that we will manage to get through this election. On the counting day, we will come out with flying colours.”
Praising the ideals of Trinamool Congress that call for standing up for the rights of minorities, Augustine D Marak said, “When the funds for Mother Teresa charity [Missionaries of Charity] were blocked by the Centre, our Chief Minister was silent. Neither your MLA James Sangma nor MP Agatha Sangma said a word against the move. But Trinamool MPs from West Bengal – Mahua Moitra and Derek O’Brien – spoke on our behalf.”