Shillong, Feb 5: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday said that she will not leave her party like a thief in the night.
“I am a Congress legislator and won 16-(East) Shillong from the party. I will not leave from the backdoor nor will I enter from a ventilator to anyone’s house. I will deal with my insecurities that are currently very strong, but I will not leave my party like a thief in the night. Most importantly I will not deceive my supporters and execute my duties to my party as assigned,” Lyngdoh said.
She was reacting to speculations about her likelihood to join the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) ahead of the 2023 Assembly polls. This came a day after her husband, who is the MDC from Malki-Laitumkhrah Fantin Joseph Lakadong, decided to quit the Congress and joined the NPP.
Lyngdoh, however, maintained that the MDC is an elected leader and his argument has merit beyond her command.
“In his maiden tenure as MDC he is feeling the pinch in as far as development projects are concerned. His Constituency covers 5 MLA constituencies and his needs go beyond the purview of 16-(East) Shillong Constituency,” she said.
“Further, in previous terms I’ve never tied my MDCs down to conform to unreasonable dictates. There have been decisions taken by our previous MDC that were detrimental to my political career, yet I have never gagged nor disturbed the MDCs mind, because in effect we were both serving our citizens though with a diverse approach. At that time, no party stepped in to correct or lend advice on such decisions. However, that chapter of my career has passed and lessons learnt have enriched my learning,” she added.
On the allegation that more Congress leaders would be leaving the party, the CLP leader however said she would not like to comment on any exodus.
“I am averse to the idea of ganging up against anyone and will not engage in any such action. I have not ditched my party nor will I to the end of my term. I will not encourage anyone to leave nor will I be party to these group movements which project a follower character. I am a leader and will lead when a situation demands,” she said while hoping that her decision as a leader will not cause confusion, but lend consolidation.
