The opposition Congress has taken decisive action against two of its MLAs, Gabriel Wahlang (Nongstoin) and Charles Marngar (Mawhati), suspending them for six years due to alleged anti-party activities. The suspension follows reports from the Block Committee and Frontal organizations indicating that these MLAs were associated with the MDA government, which is viewed as conflicting with the party’s ideologies.
MPCC General Secretary Wansuk Syiem conveyed the suspension in a letter to the MLAs, stating, “I have been directed by the competent authority to inform you that you have been suspended from the Indian National Congress (INC) with immediate effect for six years or until further notice due to your involvement in anti-party activities. This decision is based on recent reports from the Block Committee and Frontal organizations, which indicate your association with the MDA government. Such actions are in direct conflict with the party’s ideologies and principles, necessitating this disciplinary measure.”
Umsning MLA Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, also under scrutiny for potential alignment with the NPP, attended a crucial meeting called by the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). The meeting was led by MPCC President Vincent H. Pala and included key Congress figures like MP Saleng A Sangma, Congress Legislature Party leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh, and others.
Earlier, speaking to the media, Vincent Pala emphasized that the Congress would take stern action against any legislators involved in anti-party activities. He clarified that the decision was not made hastily but after thorough review and consideration of the members’ perspectives.
“So we do our job, we will not spare anyone. We will take a stern action, we will not spare them. So there is no question that the Congress is soft or the president is not taking a decision because I was away to US because my daughter is working in the US, I went there to see her and her accommodation and everything,” he said.
“But we did not take action based on press (reports) or others but now, we got reports from the blocks, we call them and leader of opposition, as MP, we are all here, we should listen to them, we should not only be loyal to our party but we should be fair to our members, give them a chance by listening to them, that’s why we have not taken action so far,” the MPCC President said.
“Since we have given them a request and appeal so let see what they say. We will try to meet two other MLAs also if they are willing, we are ready to meet otherwise we will do our own job,” he added.
Informing further about it, Pala said Dr Lyngdoh briefed the MPCC leadership on the recent developments and said as of today they are still thinking as there are numerous development offers by NPP for the three Congress legislators, however, the three Congress legislators are yet to take a call. The MPCC president called this an attempt by the BJP-NPP combination to destroy Congress in Meghalaya as he called the Congress leaders not to fall into the trap of the ruling dispensation.