Shillong, Jan 23: Former NCP state chief and Gambegre legislator Saleng A Sangma on Monday accused the Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma of being a “coward” by leaving the Congress and joining the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).

“He (Mukul) was a coward. He could not stick with the Congress that is why he left the Congress and joined the TMC,” Saleng told reporters after rejoining the Congress here.

The Gambegre legislator also alleged Mukul of kicking him out of the Congress. “However, the persons who kicked me out are no longer there… so that’s why I am in,” he said.

When asked, Saleng said he had the guts to stay in the opposition when he was an Independent MLA for five years.

“Just look at Mukul Sangma and his team, they were in Congress but why were they so suffocated to stay in a group for the whole five years. What would have happened to them if they were alone like me? Does anybody have the guts to stay alone in the opposition for the whole five years?” he asked.

On the other hand, Saleng said he does not want to join BJP because he does not want to hurt the sentiment of the people of a Christian state like Meghalaya.