As Congress grapples with dwindling influence in Meghalaya, Mylliem legislator Ronnie V. Lyngdoh stands as the party’s last remaining representative in the state assembly. Once part of a formidable political force, he now finds himself a lone fighter, holding the position of Opposition Chief Whip. With Congress failing to secure a single seat in the recent Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) elections, speculation has intensified over whether Lyngdoh, too, might part ways with the party. Addressing the growing rumors, Lyngdoh made it clear that any decision regarding his political future will be determined by the will of his supporters.
“We depend entirely on people. You see, that will depend on my people because ultimately, the people will decide,” Lyngdoh said, underscoring his commitment to public sentiment. While he did not dismiss the possibility of leaving Congress, he maintained that his course of action would be guided by the advice of his constituents. “This depends entirely on my people. Whatever they tell me, I will abide by their suggestions and advice. If my people say I can serve the constituency and the state better in another entity or another party, any decision I take will be after consulting them.”
The electoral debacle in the KHADC polls has raised questions about Congress’ leadership in Meghalaya, particularly under Vincent H. Pala. Under his tenure, the party has struggled to reclaim its former standing, leading to concerns about its future viability in the state. The failure to win a single seat in the KHADC elections further compounds the party’s declining influence, mirroring its dismal performance in Delhi, where it failed to secure any seats in the Assembly elections.
“Now, the people will decide which party to vote for. We are going to publicize the contribution of the party, but whether they will vote for us is up to them,” Lyngdoh remarked, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding Congress’ prospects in the upcoming elections.
Despite mounting setbacks, he remains resolute in his belief that Congress still holds relevance in Meghalaya’s political landscape. “We faced a setback in Delhi; we faced a setback here—that we have to admit. But we need to do some soul-searching: where we went wrong, how we went wrong, and why we went wrong. There is always scope for improvement, for strengthening the party. Yes, we feel the setback, but we need to analyze and take appropriate steps to rejuvenate the party. By and large, I think people still want Congress as an alternative in the state. As a party, we can play a role in ensuring democracy remains vibrant and that secularism and all sections of society are protected.”
When asked whether the party’s leadership was to blame for its decline, Lyngdoh rejected the notion of attributing Congress’ struggles to a single individual. “When anything goes wrong, you find fault with anything and everything. I don’t think it’s just one reason. In the case of Delhi, should one person be blamed for the debacle of the party? There cannot be a single reason for the loss.”
He reaffirmed the party’s ideological foundation, asserting that Congress remains the backbone of Indian democracy. “Nobody can replace Congress’ ideology. We gave the country the Constitution, we gave democracy, and today, what people benefit from is because of the policies and programs introduced by Congress. Democracy must be protected at all costs. Other parties focus solely on winning elections and exploiting people’s emotions, but we come with solid policies and programs for the benefit of the people. This is the ideology of Congress. Why does the BJP want Congress to be defeated? Because we are the only party standing against them at the national level.”