Congress to seek disqualification of 12 MLAs who have joined Trinamool

The Congress plans to meet Meghalaya assembly speaker Metbah Lyngdoh on Monday to demand disqualification of 12 party MLAs who have joined the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) even as TMC named rebel group leader Mukul Sangma as its leader in the assembly.

"We are readying our petition and will meet the Speaker on Monday," Congress MLA and former minister Ampareen Lyngdoh told ET. "People have voted us as Congress party... We cannot join other parties just like that. In the interest of the state, we will fight back," she said.

Led by former chief minister Sangma, 12 out of the 17 Congress MLAs had on Thursday submitted a letter to the speaker, announcing their merger with Trinamool Congress.


Trinamool on Friday named Sangma as its assembly leader. The new MLAs will visit Kolkata on Saturday to meet West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee.

"Looking at the prevailing political situation in our state and the nation, we can explain as to how this is a very conscious decision we have taken," Sangma said on Thursday. "Indian National Congress, can we really fulfil our responsibility to the people? I am sorry to say, despite our efforts, it seems to be elusive. There is a reason for us to believe we are failing in our duty as far as our role as the opposition is concerned," he had said.

A few political leaders who requested not to be named said some more MLAs are likely to join Trinamool.

Four Congress MLAs from Khasi-Jaintia Hills region and eight from Garo Hills have joined Trinamool. They include former speaker Charles Pyngrope (21-Nongthymmai), Himalaya Shangpliang (Mawsynram), George B Lyngdoh (Umroi), Shitlang Pale (Sutnga-Saipung), Dikkanchi D Shira (Mahendraganj), Miani D Shira (Ampati), Zenith Sangma (Rangsakona), Marthon J Sangma (Mendipathar), Jimmy D Sangma (Tikrikilla), Winnerson D Sangma (Salmanpara), and Lazarus M Sangma (Chokpot).

In 2018, six political parties had formed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) coalition to form the new government. Congress was ruling the state prior to that.