Meghalaya Congress Mulls Legal Action Against 3 of Its MLAs Who Joined NPP

Reported by Purbasha Bhattacharjee | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) is contemplating legal action against three of its MLAs-Charles Marngar, Gabriel Wahlang and Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh who recently joined Chief Minister Conrad Sangma led ruling National People’s Party (NPP), said party President Vincent H. Pala.

After the party’s crucial meeting, which focused on the current state of affairs within the party, Pala stated that the party is currently consulting legal experts to explore possible legal options in response to the three MLAs’ defection and to determine the advantages and disadvantages for the party as well as the interests of the general public.

In response to growing questions about why only two of the three MLAs involved in recent defections were suspended, while one was not, Vincent H. Pala explained that during the period when rumours circulated about the MLAs potentially leaving the Congress party to join the NPP, he was out of station. Upon his return, a meeting was convened on August 16 to address the crisis.

“All three affected MLAs were invited to this meeting. However, only Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh attended the meeting. During the discussion, Lyngdoh indicated that he may or may not leave the party and would inform the party of his decision in due course. His presence gave us hope that he might remain with Congress. Based on this interaction, the party sent its views to higher authorities. Subsequently, the decisions to suspend Charles Marngar and Gabriel Wahlang were made,” said Pala.

The MPCC President said that these suspension decisions were not made by the MPCC directly but were decided by the party’s leadership in Delhi.

Gabriel Wahlang, Charles Marngar and Celestine Lyngdoh joined the NPP on August 19 dealing a massive blow to the grand old party.

While the Congress’ strength has been reduced to just 1 in the Meghalaya Assembly post the desertions, the NPP has crossed the majority mark on its own with the joinings taking its tally to 31.

While Gabriel Wahlang represents the Nongstoin assembly seat, Charles Marngar is the MLA from Mawhati and Celestine Lyngdoh was the Congress MLA from Umsning.

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