Shillong: Amid speculation that Dr Mukul Sangma, senior leader of Congress from Meghalaya planning to join Trinamool Congress, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Vincent H Pala has said despite several attempts he has not been able to connect with Dr Sangma to clear the air surrounding the issue.
“I tried to meet him (Mukul) once I reached Shillong. I went to his house also, but I couldn’t meet him… they said he is in Tura,” Pala told UNI over phone late Friday night while returning to Shillong from Delhi.
Pala rued that Mukul is yet to even reply to his messages. He said, “I don’t know why he is not replying to my messages. If you call me and I don’t answer, don’t I always call you back even if it’s late,” even as he stated, “It’s ok let’s leave that behind now, I will meet him at the PEC meeting later.”
Reacting to media reports about Mukul leaving the Congress and likely joining the TMC, Pala responded, “Is it true? I know that he (Mukul) said he was going to Delhi to meet with the AICC leaders, what they discussed I am not aware really.”
The PEC (Pradesh Election Committee) meeting of the state Congress unit will take place 11am today at Shillong.
“It is a brief 10-15 minutes meeting to select the candidates for the three bye elections, I don’t think it is going to take long. I will meet Doctor after that,” the MP said.
Apparently seeking to dispel any speculation about his brief Delhi trip, Pala brushed it aside saying that it was a planned Parliament Committee meeting. He affirmed, “I did not meet anyone from AICC, and I returned soon after my work to be on time for the PEC meeting.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Election Commission of India announced dates for bye-elections to the three Assembly seats in the state on October 30, while counting will be on November 11.
The bye-elections were necessitated following the deaths of three sitting legislators – David A Nongrum from Mawryngkneng, SK Sunn from Mawphlang and Dr Azad Zaman from Rajabala constituency.
The by polls will be held simultaneously along with 12 other Assembly constituencies in 10 states and 3 parliamentary constituencies in the country.
