12 Meghalaya Congress MLAs, including Mukul Sangma, join Trinamool Congress, say party sources
New Delhi, Nov 24: The Trinamool Congress on Wednesday said 12 of the 18 Congress MLAs in Meghalaya, including former chief minister Mukul Sangma, have joined the party.
Sangma, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, was reportedly unhappy with the Congress's top leadership.
A senior leader of the TMC said with the new MLAs, the Trinamool Congress has become the principal opposition party in the state.
Sources said that with an eye on the Meghalaya polls in 2023, team members of poll strategist Prashant Kishor are in Shillong to weigh in TMC's options in the state.
In 2012, the Meghalaya Pradesh Trinamool Congress was formally launched with an intention to contest from 35 of the state's 60 seats.
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Will you be ok if I visit Ayodhya Temple? Kharge slams Centre on its anti-SC/ST stance
New Delhi: Congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge has criticised the BJP government, alleging discrimination against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and accusing them of disrespecting President Draupadi Murmu and former President Ram Nath Kovind regarding SC/ST issues.
Kharge mentioned that Murmu was not invited to the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and the inauguration of the new Parliament House. He also claimed that Kovind was not allowed to lay the foundation stone of the new Parliament House.
Speaking at the 'Idea Exchange' program organised by Indian Express, Kharge responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's accusation that Congress stayed away from laying the foundation stone of the Ram Mandir due to political pressure.
Kharge questioned, "My people are still not allowed to enter many temples. Will it be tolerated if I go to Ayodhya then?"
Regarding PM Modi's statement about NDA getting 400 seats, Kharge said, "People are yearning for change. So, the dream of the third time will not be fulfilled." He warned against the BJP forming the government again, stating, "They are already talking about changing the constitution."
Responding to whether Congress should have participated in the inauguration of Ram Mandir, Kharge said, "That is a personal belief. Anyone can go there whenever they want. Modi is not a priest. Why should he take the lead in installing the Rama idol? They did it only for political purposes."
He questioned the timing, stating, "One third of the temple is not yet completed. Is it a political act or a religious act? Why are you mixing religion with politics?"
Kharge highlighted issues faced by SCs, such as restrictions in temples, water sources, educational institutions, and instances of discrimination. He asked, "If I had gone to Ram Mandir, would they (Modi-BJP) have tolerated it?"
