With a little over two years remaining before Meghalaya marches towards the next Legislative Assembly elections, the former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition has once again unsettled the state’s political calculus. Even as speculation swirled over a possible realignment with the ruling National People’s Party, the political message from Sangma’s camp is now being sharpened: not with the NPP, but firmly with the Trinamool Congress. Underlining this stance, Sangma has constituted a Trinamool Congress committee for the upcoming Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections, to be headed by Dadenggre MLA Rupa M. Marak—an unmistakable signal of organisational consolidation rather than political drift.
As political corridors buzzed with crossover conjecture, Dr Sangma, who currently leads the Trinamool Congress Legislature Party in Meghalaya, ruled out any such move. In contrast to exit narratives doing the rounds, developments within the TMC point towards strategic tightening and electoral preparedness. The GHADC committee, with Rupa M. Marak tasked with identifying and allotting tickets, is being viewed as a calculated move to strengthen the party’s grassroots presence in the politically crucial Garo Hills region ahead of next year’s council elections.
Dr Mukul Sangma said, “I have constituted committee under Rupa Marak and the committee will be will advertise seeking candidates TMC ticket for the upcoming GHADC elections.” The former Chief Minister has also constituted the TMC youth wing at Songsak, signalling a renewed thrust on cadre-building and youth mobilisation. Sources indicate that Dr Sangma recently held meetings in Kolkata to chalk out strategies for the GHADC elections and further consolidate the party organisation. The TMC, it is learnt, is planning to field candidates in the GHADC polls and is also planning to align with like-minded parties post elections, adding another strategic layer to Meghalaya’s fast-evolving political theatre.
Meanwhile, Dr Mukul Sangma’s regular visits to Delhi are also raising eyebrows.
The buzz has been further amplified by claims from Meghalaya TMC sources that TIPRA Motha chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma had made multiple attempts to reach out to Dr Sangma, highlighting the veteran leader’s enduring strategic relevance across political formations.
Despite these developments, political speculation continues to swirl. Can there be smoke without fire? Sources suggest Dr Sangma may not contest the 2028 Assembly elections on a TMC ticket, raising questions about his longer-term political trajectory and the configuration of the Opposition in Meghalaya.
For now, Sangma has maintained strategic silence. With anti-defection laws in place, any major political shift would require alignment with party legislators, making abrupt moves complex. Meanwhile, political observers in the state are closely monitoring Assam’s pre-poll strategies, messaging, and alliances, with an eye on lessons that could influence Meghalaya’s own electoral manoeuvring and leadership positioning in the years ahead.
