Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee President Vincent H. Pala declared that the Congress is poised for a major influx of former MLAs and seasoned political actors in January. Positioning the development as part of a larger phase of strategic consolidation, Pala asserted that the party — long dismissed as being on the back foot — is now witnessing a decisive shift in momentum, especially after the dramatic return of Zenith M. Sangma, which has reset the political narrative across Meghalaya’s power corridors.
Pala revealed that the Congress leadership is already engaged in advanced negotiations with several key players. “We are in talks with many friends and many friends are ready to join and hopefully in January a few of them will be joining. Quite a few of them will be joining Congress.”
Describing the return of former cabinet minister Zenith M. Sangma as a catalytic moment, he said, “Congress was once seen fighting to get good leaders have emensely benefitted after joining of Zenith M Sangma one of the tall leader not only from Garo Hills but the state as a whole.”
He noted that the political impact of Zenith’s homecoming is being felt beyond the Garo belt. “It will help people in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region. Many people called me saying with their joining it will effect the mindset of the people here. It will help us.”
While hinting that more sitting legislators may cross over, Pala maintained that their decisions depend on the Congress’ organisational potency. “Many of the sitting legislators likely to join Congress but it depends on the party’s performance in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections and also restricting party’s organisation, nobody will join if we are weak. If we are strong definitely people will join us. There is no dearth of leaders in Congress.”
Signalling confidence in the party’s rebuilding process, he asserted that the revival is taking shape across the state. “Not only in Garo Hills but even here in Khasi Jaintia Hills region also hopefully by New Year many of them will be joining back this time… This is a time where I think elections is another two years so we have enough time to prepare for ourselves.”
Pala emphasised that the dual return of Zenith M. Sangma and Sadhiarani M. Sangma comes at a strategically opportune moment. “Joining of former cabinet Minister Zenith M Sangma… and Sadhiarani M Sangma… will help not only in Garo Hills, but it will help people in Khasi and Jaintia Hills region. Many people called me saying with their joining it will effect the mindset of the people here.”
He acknowledged that political movement is common ahead of polls but argued that the timing and pattern this time reflect deeper political undercurrents. “Before the elections there are always shifting and joining… But something significant this time because the elections in Garo Hills Autonomous District Council is round the corner… now, they realise that Congress is the only party who is stable and who’s fighting for the Minority, who’s fighting for the Tribals.”
Underscoring the Congress’ legacy of leadership, he said, “Hopefully leaders can go and come, but we’ll keep on producing leaders… we produce good leaders, they may go here and there but then, a new new people will come.”
Pala concluded that the party has entered a corrective and revivalist phase, one that he believes is restoring public trust. “So it required sometime to rebuild… the Congress this time I think is already in position to recorrect and rebuild and to get the trust of the people in the party.”
