Three of four Congress MLAs’ in Meghalaya join ruling NPP

Shillong: The Congress in Meghalaya suffered a major blow on Monday when three of its four MLAs joined the National People’s Party (NPP), which leads the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA).

Charles Marngar, Gabriel Wahlang, and Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh joined the NPP in the presence of its national president and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, and other senior leaders of the party.

A bulletin issued by the Assembly Secretariat stated, “Speaker Thomas A. Sangma has recognized the merger of the three members of the Indian National Congress Legislature Party with the NPP.”

Sangma said, “Their joining is a boost for the NPP. It reinforced our commitment to serving the people and taking the state forward.”

The Congress had won five seats in last year’s Assembly elections. Its strength later reduced to four after Gambegre legislator Saleng Sangma won the Lok Sabha polls from the Tura seat, defeating the NPP’s Agatha Sangma. After Monday’s development, the Congress is now left with just one MLA.

The MDA’s strength has risen to 49 (NPP 31) in the 60-member House, which now has an effective strength of 59 members, as a by-election in the Gambegre seat is pending.