Shillong, Aug 16: As the threat of defection from among its four legislators looms, the Congress party has made a swift move, on Friday, suspending two of its MLAs, Gabriel Wahlang and Charles Marngar, for their alleged ‘association with the NPP led MDA government’
The decision came hours after a meeting of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) was held in Shillong.
In a letter to the two MLAs, MPCC general secretary Wansuk Syiem said, “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 Celestine Lyngdoh, who was also one among the three MLAs named in reports about their move to join the NPP, was also present during the MPCC meeting.
Party sources said that the Congress will decide on the matter later.
MPCC president Vincent H Pala said only Celestine Lyngdoh came and briefed the party when the three were invited.
According to Lyngdoh, the ruling NPP party had offered them developmental schemes but the three have not made any clear-cut decision on whether to join them or not.
Slamming the NPP-led MDA government for indulging in the politics of horse-trading, Pala alleged that the government is using illegal money to lure MLAs of the Congress and other political parties in the state.
Pala further accused the BJP and the NPP of pulling the ‘desperate move’ to destroy the Congress, adding that the party has issued a strong warning against the MLAs that stern action will be taken against them if they shift allegiance.
