Shillong, Nov 25: The Congress in Meghalaya has played down the resignation of 12 of its MLAs in one go, saying this was expected and doesn’t surprise them barring the exit of Charles Pyngrope.

After the 12 legislators publicly announced their decision on Thursday and informed that they will be joining the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President Vincent Pala said he was aware of the leaders activities and expected this move, which is why the party was already engaged in lot of activities and reaching out to its supporters in various constituencies.

He also informed that he wasn’t expecting Pyngrope to leave the party, hence the latter’s move comes as a surprise to him. However, he’s more than ready to face up to the new challenge, he said.

At the same time, hinting at the probable reason for the 12 legislators to leave the party, he said it could be because all of the turncoat leaders were suddenly out of power in the party.

“Most of leaders who were in power now suddenly they are out of power so definitely they will be restless amongst them so that must be one of the reason. My appointment as president it is not done by me, it was demand for a change of President and was done by MLAs and MDCs. The AICC consulted with the leaders twice and I think they going out is not because of my appointment but it’s because of out of power for some time,” Pala said.

Senior Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh feels this is an opportunity for the state of Meghalaya to get completely new faces as politicians who will not be bought easily or shift camps easily.

She also asserted that this development does not affect the party and they will continue to build their forces.

Mentionably, the number of Congress legislators in Meghalaya Assembly has been reduced to 5 from their earlier number of 17 with the exit of 12 MLAs. Also, the anti-defection law will not be applicable in this case as the number of MLAs defecting is over two-thirds of Congress’ total MLAs in the House.

At the same time, TMC has gained 12 legislators in Meghalaya without polling and has become the principle opposition in the Assembly.