EXCLUSIVE
Will Congress Member of Parliament from the Tura Parliamentary constituency, Saleng A Sangma, at all consider a return to state politics? Amidst growing political speculation in Garo Hills, National People’s Party veteran Timothy D Shira is reportedly preparing to take on Tura MP Saleng A Sangma, who is widely rumoured to be contemplating a return to state politics. While the Congress has sought to downplay the buzz, the political chatter shows no signs of slowing down.
The speculation centres on reports that Saleng Sangma may contest the politically sensitive Resubelpara constituency in the 2028 Meghalaya Assembly elections. The rumour has thrust veteran NPP leader TD Shira, a senior cabinet minister in the MDA-II government, into the spotlight, with political observers watching closely how the dynamics could reshape the Garo Hills electoral landscape.
Responding to the swirling rumours, Shira said, “Politics is politics after all, just because he won in the last MP elections, it is not that he will be winning the MLA elections as well because there is vast difference between MP Elections, MLA elections and MDC elections. He won the MP Elections because of certain factors. I heard that rumour that Member of Parliament from Tura Parliamentary seat Saleng A Sangma likely to contest Assembly elections 2028 from Resubelpara seat and yes, that’s why I have to prepare myself.”
Shira also downplayed any perceived threat, saying, “I don’t think there is any threat if he contests from Resubelpara; rather, it will be a good thing. Congress is no more in Meghalaya as far as the Legislative Assembly is concerned. There are no MLAs, and I don’t think they will be able to revive the party by 2028. Even if leaders from the Centre (All India Congress Committee) come, I don’t see them reviving the party here. The results of the Bihar elections very clearly show the exact position of Congress in India.”
Asked about Congress’s chances in Meghalaya, Shira added, “Since it’s a very old party, they may be able to manage one or two or five seats in Meghalaya, but people have to understand, what benefits will they get? If one, two, five, or ten MLAs from Congress are elected, they will not be able to form the government—they will be sitting in the opposition. Last time, five MLAs were elected, but out of five, it came to nil. Nobody likes to sit in the opposition.”
In contrast, the Congress sought to put the rumours to rest. All India Congress Committee joint Secretary in-charge Meghalaya, Mathew Anthony, stated unequivocally, “The question of Saleng Sangma contesting—Saleng Sangma is a Congress MP and he will complete his full term.”
Despite these assurances, the political speculation has added a fresh layer of intrigue in Garo Hills, with Resubelpara increasingly seen as a potential battleground.
