Cong ‘lost touch with people of Meghalaya’: Ex Minister Ampareen quits party, to join NPP today
First Published: 19th December, 2022 13:08 IST
West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang too has resigned and is joining NPP this afternoon.
Congress leader and former Meghalaya minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang have quit the Congress party. Rapsang and Lyngdoh were suspended from the party. Both the leaders are joining the National People’s Party (NPP) led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma this afternoon.
The resignations come ahead of the Meghalaya Assembly polls early next year.
Speaking to Northeast Live just a while back, Lyngdoh said, “Finally I am out and I am joining NPP. I and Mohendro Rapsang are at the Assembly now to resign from our MLA positions. Soon after this we both will leave for the Fire Brigade Ground and join the NPP there”.
This development is being seen by any as the final nail in Congress’s coffin in Meghalaya.
In her resignation letter, Lyngdoh thanked the party for giving her all the opportunity and even appointing her as the Secretary of the All India Congress Committee. But she also said, “the party has lost touch with the people of Meghalaya…the party has led me to believe that it has lost its sense of direction.”
She went on to say, “There has been a pressing need for the party and its leadership to reflect on this. Sincere and honest attempts to lead such self-introspection, I believe, has failed”.
57-year-old Lyngdoh has been MLA from the East Shillong constituency since 2013.
Last month, three incumbent MLAs in Meghalaya – two from the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and one from the opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) – had resigned to join the BJP. The NPP’s Benedict Marak (Raksamgre) and Fairlene Sangma (Selsella), and Trinamool Congress legislator Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang (Mawsynram) had quit their parties.
Earlier in February this year, five Congress MLAs – Cong Legislature Party leader Ampareen Lyngdoh, and MLAs PT Sawkmie, Mayralborn Syiem, KS Marbaniang and Mohendro Rapsang had joined the MDA – Meghalaya Democratic Alliance backed by BJP.
Prior to that in 2021, 12 Congress MLAs including former Meghalaya CM and senior party leader Mukul Sangma had left the party to join Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The Congress had won 21 seats and NPP 19 in the 2018 Assembly polls. BJP had won 2 but BJP out-smarted Congress to form the government in Meghalaya joining hands with NPP.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Brother of BSF Jawan Deepak Chingakham Who Died in Cross-Border Firing by Pakistan in Jammu Appointed ASI in Manipur Police on Compassionate Grounds
11th July 2025
Live Maikhuli Villagers Protest MoU Over Assam-Meghalaya Border, Demand Return of Fishery
11th July 2025
Live Chhangur Baba Received Rs 500 Crore in Foreign Funds for Illegal Conversions: Anti-Terror Squad
11th July 2025
Live Taiwan Detects 9 Chinese Warships, 1 Aircraft Breaching ADIZ Amid Rising Tensions
11th July 2025
WE RECOMMEND
Maikhuli Villagers Protest MoU Over Assam-Meghalaya Border, Demand Return of Fishery
At the heart of the protest lies the contentious inclusion of the village's long-maintained fishery within Assam’s territory under the MoU.
11th July 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla Speaks to Students from Assam and Meghalaya from Space, Tells Them He Will Guide Them To Become Astronauts, Walk on the Moon
The Indian astronaut connected with the students using amateur (Ham) radio, making it a rare and inspiring moment.
11th July 2025
Shillong Cantonment to Finally Get Building Bye-Laws After 53 Years; Draft Sent to Defence Ministry for Approval
As per the approved draft, residential buildings along motorable roads can go up to Ground plus 3 (G+3) floors.
11th July 2025
Centre Sanctions Rs 1,066 Cr For Flood And Landslide Hit Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram
These states have experienced heavy rainfall, massive flooding, and multiple landslides during this monsoon season.
10th July 2025
Shillong Gets Its First Mall: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Inaugurates Rs 100 Cr Polo Commercial Complex
Meghalaya: Rooftop solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems further underline the eco-conscious vision of the project.
10th July 2025