Sangma's move to float new party may affect Meghalaya: Cong

The ruling Congress in Meghalaya on Wednesday said PA Sangma’s decision to float a national party, exclusively for tribal communities, could affect the state.

"Charity begins at home....No brain drain is necessary when he could contribute so much to state politics," Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee President and former Chief Minister DD Lapang said.

The comments came as yesterday Sangma, who is projecting himself as a tribal leader of the country, had categorically ruled out any possibility of his joining state politics and wishing to float a national party for tribals.

Asked whether Congress is relieved to know that the former chief minister is not contesting elections in the state, Lapang said "with him (Sangma) or without him, the Congress is having an advantage in the coming elections.”

"We will watch and see, we don’t know because he has always changed his stand in the past...I am sure he must be trying to define on actually which course he is taking," Mukul said.

On the idea of a national party for the tribals, he said, "I am very happy to belong to the Indian National Congress, a party which has given such a huge platform for leaders belonging to all sections of people across the country irrespective of caste, creed and communities.”

Mukul also reminded how Sangma was such an important person in the Congress prior to his rebel against UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for her foreign origin.

"Mr P A Sangma was also one of the most important politicians in the party who had been given that platform at the INC," Mukul said.

As the state gears for the assembly elections early next year, the political situation is getting hotter between the ruling Congress and the NCP.

At present the NCP has 13 legislators in the House of 60 MLAs while the Congress has 28.