General secretary of the UDP North Tura Block Witson Ch Momin along with 35 others joined the opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) at its party office in Tura, West Garo Hills District.
The party has termed their joining as a ‘major boost’. The 35 members include former members of the UDP and Congress.
The newly joined members were welcomed by MLA from Chokpot, Lazarus M Sangma and Meghalaya TMC State Mahila President Selma D Shira.
The other leaders present at the event were former MLA Noverfield R Marak, TMC West Garo Hills District Coordinator Safford N Sangma, former MDC Rupert M Sangma, former MLA & MDC Contestant Adamkid M Sangma, North Tura Block President Rollingstone Momin, South Tura Block President Ajay Marak, and other block-level leaders.
Addressing the induction programme, Lazarus M Sangma said, “On behalf of Meghalaya TMC and with the support of Dr Mukul Sangma, I would like to appeal to more like-minded people to join us and unite throughout the Garo Hills to bring the necessary changes.”
Slamming the MDA government over the plight of teachers, Sangma said, “It is not only the SSA teachers who are suffering. Even in South Garo Hills, there are 108 posts for primary teachers which are lying vacant. Besides, there are vacancies in every department that have not been filled”.
“Even though promises have been made they have not been fulfilled. Therefore, we, the whole of Garo Hills must unite to bring change. As we have suffered a lot over the last few years because of the negligence of the government, it is time we bring change,” he further added.