GUWAHATI:
In a significant political development, Meghalaya’s former Minister, Zenith M. Sangma, has officially rejoined the Congress party in Shillong. This move comes almost four years after he, along with eleven other MLAs, defected to the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Despite his loss in the 2023 Assembly elections, Sangma’s return is seen as a crucial boost for the Congress. Notably, he is the brother of Mukul M. Sangma, a prominent TMC leader and former Chief Minister, who remains one of the five TMC MLAs in Meghalaya, representing the West Bengal-based party led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Speaking to reporters after his re-entry, Sangma described his decision as a “conscious choice.” He emphasized his long-standing commitment to the Congress, a party he served for over two decades. His motivation, he stated, was to “strengthen the grand old party to uphold secularism and actively combat corruption, lawlessness (‘jungle raj’), and the divisive politics that are eroding the social fabric in Meghalaya and across the nation.”
The formal rejoining ceremony took place with Meghalaya Congress president Vincent H. Pala and All India Congress Committee leader A. Chellakumar in attendance.
Pala echoed Sangma’s sentiments, stating, “The Congress is the sole party championing secularism. If the Congress weakens, society as a whole suffers. It’s imperative for people in Meghalaya and beyond to reunite with the Congress and work collaboratively.”
Zenith Sangma’s resignation from the Meghalaya TMC was accepted by the state unit’s president and MLA, Charles Pyngrope, just a day prior. A senior TMC leader, who preferred to remain anonymous, hinted at the party’s internal struggles, suggesting that the TMC in Meghalaya is showing signs of fragmentation. “The central leadership has seemingly lost interest in the state unit following the 2023 Assembly election defeat,” the leader commented, adding that “issues and concerns raised by local leaders are not reaching the West Bengal Chief Minister or other key party figures, including Abhishek Banerjee.”
This defection fuels speculation that the TMC might face a complete exodus of its MLAs in Meghalaya as the 2028 Assembly elections draw closer.