Cong MLA says he will quit party after CM promises to upgrade Ranikor as sub-division

Opposition Congress MLA Martin M Danggo today announced that he will put in his papers in favour of the ruling National People's Party (NPP), after Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma accepted the long-pending demand to upgrade Ranikor as a civil sub-division.

Danggo's resignation will reduce the Congress's strength in the Meghalaya Assembly to 20, equal to that of the NPP, which is running a coalition government in the north-eastern state with the BJP and some regional parties.

The election for the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly was held in February.

Danggo, a five-time MLA from Ranikor, would put in his papers before Speaker Donkupar Roy anytime this week, one of his close aides informed.

"The people of Ranikor have suffered as much as me during my last four terms, when I was with the Congress. As it is the wish of the people here, I will accede to their demand and quit the party to work for the NPP," the MLA told a crowd of over 5,000 of his followers here.

He added that he was thankful to the leadership of the new government for taking exemplary decisions and creating a civil sub-division, which will benefit the people of the area.

Earlier, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced that his government had decided to upgrade the Ranikor administrative unit into a full-fledged civil sub-division, with an aim to take administration closer to the people.

The chief minister was accompanied by his deputy, Prestone Tynsong, Home Minister James K Sangma and NPP president W R Khalukhi, among others.

Following the official announcement by the chief minister, Ranikor block Congress president Jerman Nongsiang, general secretary Nelbi T Sangma and other party leaders resigned en-masse and promised to work in favour of the NPP.

The leaders, led by Nongsiang, also petitioned their MLA Danggo, urging him to resign from the Assembly and work in favour of the ruling party.

Meghalaya Congress chief Celestine Lyngdoh admitted that he was aware of the development and added that the party was awaiting a formal intimation.

"I have heard about the situation in Ranikor block. I am waiting for an official letter from them," he told PTI.

Lyngdoh added that action, in accordance with the rules of the party, would be taken and that the Congress would have to reconstitute its leadership at Ranikor.