CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG: The political void left by the Congress split remains unfilled, with former party leaders showing no inclination to return. As Vincent Pala’s tenure nears its end in 2026, the party's influence continues to decline, with many former Congress members expressing skepticism about its future in Meghalaya.
Former Congress MLA Marthon J. Sangma, who left the party in 2021 along with Dr. Mukul Sangma and others to join the Trinamool Congress (TMC), believes Congress is on a downward trajectory. However, he also sees little promise for TMC, as its leadership has steadily eroded with key figures defecting.
"I don't have anything to do with Congress because last time I came out from the Congress party and joined NPP due to some turmoil within the party over state leadership issues. Senior leaders Dr. Mukul Sangma and Vincent Pala could not get along, leading to a split—some MLAs merged with TMC while others stayed back. I had to make a decision for my constituency’s development, whether to remain in the opposition or align with the ruling side. I knew these two parties (Congress and TMC) were not coming to power, so the best option was to join NPP. Since then, many have joined, and we have seen the implementation of development schemes like road construction and the establishment of people’s colleges," said the Mendipathar MLA. Now an NPP leader, Sangma likened Congress to a "sinking ship," attributing its downfall to persistent internal conflicts. He pointed out that several senior leaders, including multiple former cabinet ministers, were once aligned with Congress but later migrated to the NPP.
Asked about allegations from former Congress leaders that the party is collapsing, Sangma responded, "It is true because there is so much internal bickering within Congress. I don't know why, but most of the MLAs on the ruling side were once with Congress. Almost five to six cabinet ministers were former Congress leaders." Expressing doubts about TMC’s viability, he added, "I don't see any future for TMC. Many Trinamool grassroots workers are leaving." Dismissing any possibility of returning to Congress, Sangma asserted that the party's fragmentation stemmed from leadership rifts between Dr. Mukul Sangma and Vincent H. Pala. Despite the ongoing political shifts, he emphasized that developmental initiatives, including infrastructure projects and education reforms, remain on course.
When asked if Vincent Pala had been in touch, he replied, "No, I can tell you frankly, no such development is taking place."
He further ruled out any prospect of rejoining Congress even after Vincent Pala’s tenure ends. "I have already left Congress, and I will be with NPP," he affirmed.
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