Tikrikilla Ind MLA resigns

SHILLONG, JAN 24: In yet another boost to the ruling Congress, independent sitting legislator from Tikrikilla Michael T Sangma today resigned as member of the Assembly to contest from a Congress ticket in the upcoming state polls.

Sangma tendered his resignation letter before the Assembly’s Speaker AT Mondal through the Commissioner & Secretary Andrew Simons here on Wednesday.

Yesterday, two sitting legislators – Brigady Marak, an independent MLA from Bajengdoba seat, and Marthon Sangma, MLA of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from Mendipathar constituency also resigned as members of Assembly to join the Congress.

Altogether, a total of 17 of 60 sitting legislators have resigned so far as members of the ninth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly to seek re-election from other political parties in the upcoming Assembly elections.

These include seven former Congress legislators, seven independents, two NCP MLAs and one United Democratic Party (UDP) MLA.

Those from the Congress who left and joined the National People’s Party (NPP) include former deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh (Mawkyrwat) and three former cabinet ministers Prestone Tynsong (Pynursla), Coming One Ymbon (Raliang), Sniawbhalang Dhar (Nartiang) and Ngaitlang Dhar (Umroi).

AL Hek, also a former Congress legislator from Pynthorumkhrah, however joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) while suspended Congress member from Mawsynram PN Syiem joined the newly floated People’s Democratic Front (PDF).

From the NCP, Sanbor Shullai, a former legislator of South Shillong went and joined the BJP while Marthon Sangma from Mendipathar joined the ruling Congress.

The UDP was reduced to 7 out of eight sitting MLAs with its former legislator from Mawkynrew constituency Remington Pyngrope joining the NPP.

The other independent MLAs who resigned include Saleng A Sangma, who joined the NCP, Hopeful Bamon from Sutnga-Saipung and Stephanson Mukhim from Amlarem, who both joined the NPP, Robinus Syngkon from Mookaiaw and Justine Dkhar from Khliehriat joined the BJP.

Meghalaya will go to polls on February 27 and the counting of votes will be held on March 3. It may be mentioned that the tenure of the current Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will expire on March 6.

By Our Reporter