SHILLONG, DEC 11: Former Congress ministers turned rebellion today asked the chief minister Mukul Sangma not to tell them what to do and what not to do since he is no longer their leader.
“Why should he (Mukul) interfere (with our decision)? We will resign at the right time and he has nothing to advice us as we have grown enough and we are wise enough,” former minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters.
Tynsong, who was attending the Nongkrem Dance festival held at Smit village, about 15 km from here, was reacting to a query on the recent statement made by the chief minister, who have challenged the rebel legislators to resign as MLAs if they have the courage.
“Therefore, he (CM) doesn’t have to tell us do this, do that, he is no longer our leader,” he said in presence of former deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh, who was also backing Tynsong’s statement against the chief minister.
Prestone and Rowell are among the six sitting legislators of the ruling Congress, who have made their stand clear that they would leave the party to join other political parties for contesting the upcoming 2018 state Assembly elections.
Along with them, two former ministers Sniawbhalang Dhar and Comingone Ymbon, and Umroi MLA Ngaitlang Dhar have expressed their keen interest to join the National People’s Party (NPP).
However, suspended Congress member Pynshngain N Syiem, who is also the chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) have decided to lead the newly floated People Democratic Front (PDF) soon after the current Assembly’s winter session.
It may be mentioned here, the chief minister had also referred these rebel legislators as “turncoats”.
Asked if they would resign after the Assembly session, Prestone said, “Yes, you can say anything but we are going to resign very soon.”
Whether there will be any political indulgence by them inside the House against the Mukul-led MUA-II government, he however said that after the resolution for removal of the Speaker was withdrawn by the NPP, nothing much will be there.
“I will be attending the session and we are meeting day after tomorrow,” Prestone said.
The ongoing winter session will be the last sitting of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, before the state goes for fresh poll early next year. The term of the current ninth Assembly is due to expire on March 6.
By Our Reporter
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