Meghalaya TMC legislator Dr Mizanur Rahman Kazi was on Tuesday seen meeting Deputy Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) leader Snaiwbhalang Dhar at his office in the State Secretariat, a development that has added to speculation over the future of the Trinamool Congress in Meghalaya. While Dr Kazi declined to comment on the purpose of the meeting, describing it as a casual interaction, the meeting has triggered fresh political chatter amid growing uncertainty within the party.
The speculation comes against the backdrop of a leadership crisis in the All India Trinamool Congress triggered by a rebel faction in West Bengal. TMC legislators in Meghalaya have maintained that the State leadership has not informed them of its stand on the developments. The uncertainty follows the dissident group’s announcement that it had removed Mamata Banerjee as the party chairperson and installed a parallel leadership structure, raising questions over the future course of the party’s Meghalaya unit.
As questions emerged over the future of the Meghalaya unit, National People’s Party leader and Deputy Chief Minister Snaiwbhalang Dhar indicated that his party remained open to welcoming leaders from other political formations. “As of now, TMC leaders has not approached us, but our door is open for all. I will not approach them, let somebody approch us then we will have discussion,” Dhar said.
The dissident group, led by Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, claimed that it had secured the support of a significant section of party legislators and functionaries. It also claimed that several of Mamata Banerjee’s close associates, including former Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, had joined the rebel camp. The rebel faction elected MLA Arup Roy as its chairperson through a voice vote.
Dhar also revealed that leaders from other political parties were in touch with the NPP leadership regarding possible entry into the ruling party. Commenting on former NPP member Mohendro Rapsang’s decision to join the BJP, he said, “In politics joining and running away is a normal process. Today somebody will join tomorrow and somebody will run away it’s normal for political parties. Somebody else will come to us. So many approaches to join.”
With the NPP’s strength in the Assembly rising to 33 following a series of mergers and defections, Dhar said the party would not automatically accommodate all aspirants seeking tickets for the 2028 Assembly elections. Stressing that electoral prospects would remain the primary criterion, he said, “Winability is a must, obviously we will go with that only.”
He further suggested that more political realignments could take place ahead of the next Assembly polls, stating, “So many seating MLAs will join us, not now, just before the assembly election.”
