After the collapse of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the ruling coalition, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is set to face fresh political setbacks in Meghalaya, with at least three of its members in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), including a close aide of former Chief Minister and TMC leader Dr Mukul Sangma, all set to join the National People’s Party (NPP) on November 4 in Shillong, ahead of the council elections.
NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma confirmed the entry of the three sitting MDCs, signalling another expansion of the ruling party’s political base in the Garo Hills.
“Yes…We will be having three of these sitting MDCs from the TMC for joining us on the 4th November,” Sangma said.
The three MDCs set to switch allegiance are Cherak W. Momin of Kharkutta, Agassi R. Marak of Balachanda and Alphonsush R. Marak of the 29-Williamnagar constituency.
Asked whether TMC MLAs were also joining the NPP, Sangma said, “No such communication are there to me. As I have said Day after tomorrow’s programme is confirm TMC MDCs are joinging.”
The entry of Cherak W. Momin is particularly significant given his close political association with Dr Mukul Sangma, who is regarded as his political mentor. Sources said the NPP has been keen to bring Cherak into its fold and is considering him as a potential candidate for the Kharkutta Assembly constituency in the 2028 elections. The constituency is currently represented by NPP legislator Rupert Momin.
His induction could have implications for the NPP’s electoral calculations in Kharkutta, with the party considering the prospect of projecting Cherak as its candidate in the next Assembly elections.
Cherak and Alphonsush are also members of the Executive Committee of the NPP-led GHADC. Sources indicated that the NPP is considering assigning Cherak a larger role in the Executive Committee following the next council elections.
The political shift comes amid continuing uncertainty within the TMC’s Meghalaya unit. Sources said that following the political turmoil surrounding the party after the West Bengal elections, several opposition leaders in Meghalaya have found it difficult to obtain clear communication and direction from the party leadership in Kolkata. The exit of three MDCs is set to further test the TMC’s organisational presence in the Garo Hills ahead of the GHADC elections.
Meanwhile, asked whether more MLAs could merge with the NPP, Sangma said political developments remained unpredictable but indicated that the ruling coalition was not expecting further changes for now.
Talking to Media Persons in Shillong, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said, “Politics is always very fragile in one way, and many things keep happening. And we never thought that this kind of situation would happen, But it did happen. So, I do not write off anything, But yes, in a normal circumstance circumstance, we don’t expect anything more to happen right now. we expect that, this particular government with these particular ministers will complete the term.”
