The Trinamool Congress in Meghalaya has sought to project itself as the “Asli TMC” at a time when the party is facing an organisational crisis and growing questions over its political relevance in the State.
Amid reports of the opposition party’s organisational structure weakening in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and a wider internal crisis within the All India Trinamool Congress, Meghalaya unit president Charles Pyngrope has asserted that there is no question of a “Nakli TMC” in the State, insisting that his party remains intact and will contest the 2028 Assembly elections. Talking to Media Persons, the Meghalaya TMC Chief said,
“We do not have Nakli TMC”
Pyngrope’s remarks come amid the ongoing debate over the “Asli TMC” or “Real Trinamool”, which has emerged against the backdrop of a severe internal crisis within the All India Trinamool Congress in 2026, with competing claims over the party’s political and organisational identity. In Meghalaya, the debate assumes significance as the State unit faces questions over its support base, organisational strength and prospects ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.
Asked whether the TMC remained acceptable to the people of Meghalaya, Pyngrope said the party would have to assess the political mood before making a definitive judgement on its electoral prospects. He said the demand for a viable political alternative could provide the TMC an opportunity to position itself before the electorate.
“We will have to take a call at that, people suppose they want a viable alternatives we can always project ourselves, when you test the waters you will know which was it is going,” he added.
Responding to claims by political observers that the TMC had no future in Meghalaya, Pyngrope challenged the basis of such assessments.
“Definition of experts can be challenged,” Pyngrope said.
The Meghalaya TMC president maintained that the party would contest the 2028 Assembly elections and said its electoral prospects would ultimately be determined by the voters. Asked whether the TMC could make a comeback in the State in 2028, he said the answer would rest with the people.
The assertion comes amid reports of discontent within Pyngrope’s own political base, including claims that several of his supporters have moved towards the Congress and that there is uncertainty over whether he would contest the next Assembly election on a TMC ticket. Pyngrope, however, dismissed such speculation and expressed confidence that he could rebuild his support base.
“I can bring them back, I am confident of winning from TMC ticket, but politics is not a games. It very serious thing,” the TMC leader said.
Pyngrope acknowledged that the TMC’s electoral strength in Meghalaya had weakened, with its vote share declining compared with the previous election. However, he argued that electoral support was not static and could change before the next Assembly election.
“TMC is not a strong party percent of vote share has reduced than the last elections but these things can fluctuate,” Pyngrope said.
He rejected any attempt to write off the party ahead of the 2028 polls, maintaining that electoral mandates could not be predetermined and that the TMC would remain in the political contest.
“That will be the choice of the people, mandate of the people u cannot just writeoff any political party, we have to wait till 2028. At the moment TMC is intact and probably it will remain the same till 2028. No proposal of moving out of TMC,” he added.
