SHILLONG, AUG 19: The two suspended Congress legislators may not be able to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) due to fear of disqualification.

The Congress has made a “checkmate” by reaching out to Dr Celestine Lyngdoh and suspending the two other MLAs – Gabriel Wahlang (Nongstoin) and Charles Marngar (Mawhati) for six years before they could execute their decision to join the NPP.

The suspension order was issued by the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on August 16 against the two MLAs for anti-party activities.

Prior to this, party sources informed that all the four MLAs were called to Delhi last week for a meeting with the party high command. However, Gabriel and Charles refused to turn up for the meeting.

The party was left with no option but to take disciplinary action against them after reports were received from the respective block committees against their anti-party activities.

“We have made a checkmate on them. After the two MLAs were being suspended for six years, even though if they want to join another party, they cannot because under suspension, they are under the party’s disciplinary action,” a Congress leader said on request of anonymity while adding “So 50% is suspended and now without a two-third majority, they cannot defect or else they will be disqualified.”

Stating that the Congress now is very clear with its administrative matters, the leader informed that the Nongstoin MLA Gabriel Wahlang was also removed as president of the district congress committee on Saturday.

“Since they have been suspended…they have been moved into a place where they cannot go into another party till the time the disciplinary action is revoked,” he said while adding “The only way out is to resign as MLAs and recontest and win from some other party or independent if they want to which they will not do as they will fail.”

Asked, the Congress leader said, “Even if Dr Celestine join them to join other parties, three of them will be disqualified as per Representative of People’s Act because two of them are under suspension and by Dr Celestine not joining them, they don’t have a two-third and they will be disqualified.”

He said, “Had the showcause notice being served to them, they would have immediately resigned and join the otherside, they would have left Congress and join other side and we would have been left in a completely different spot as they are not suspended and they not replying to showcause doesnt have any meaning.”

To another query, the Congress leader said that the suspended MLAs are asked to submit their explanation to the party for further action.

“Now we are asking for an explanation from them. They have to respond or remain under suspension. They are under the party’s control. Even if they take the risk of joining the Assembly with NPP, we will go to the Court and they will get disqualified…Now they have to explain to the party and party will decide whether to revoke the suspension or to expell them from the party. So let them come back and then we will see,” he added.

Also Read: Remembering late Salseng C Marak: The man who envisioned ropeways to ease Shillong traffic, connect remote villages 28 years back!

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