Mukul quits as MLA of Ampati after serving for more than 25 years

Shillong, Mar 16: Former chief minister and Leader of Opposition in Assembly, Dr Mukul Sangma on Friday resigned as MLA of Ampati, the constituency he had represented for more than 25 years.

Dr Mukul handed over the resignation letter to Assembly Speaker, Dr Donkupar Roy’s chamber in the Assembly.

Congress MLAs including his wife who is the Congress MLA from Mahendraganj constituency accompanied Dr Mukul to the Speaker’s chamber.

The former Chief Minister was elected from two constituencies – Ampati and Songsak in the Assembly elections held on February 27.

Dr Mukul was elected from Ampati for the sixth consecutive time since 1993 and for the first time from Songsak.

As MLA of Ampati, Mukul was sworn in as chief minister twice. He first took oath as Chief Minister on April 20, 2010, and continued as Chief Minister for the second time from March 5, 2013 to March 4, 2018.

When the Speaker asked him how he felt after resigning as MLA of Ampati, said, “Only the heart knows.”

Mukul told reporters that it was not an easy decision to take which seat he should vacate.

“After a long engagement with his people who have stood firm with him and the party for more than 25 years, we ultimately culminated into a collective decision to vacate Ampati and retain Songsak,” Mukul said, while thanking the electorates of Ampati who had elected him as well as the people of Songsak.

Mukul said that the people of Ampati were also instrumental in motivating and inspiring him in his intent to serve the people and the state.

“That is why, as chief minister, I could focus more unlike other legislators who had to frequent their constituencies while occupying a position of responsibility such as the chief minister’s post. It is an emotional issue obviously, and the most difficult decision, but we are looking at the larger interest of the state,” he said.

To a question that it would be a tough task to retain Ampati as the NPP is leading the government, Mukul said, “Never. It is a question of trust and faith. I did not have time to campaign in Ampati in 2013 and 2018. So, it is completely on the basis of trust and love and affection that the people have for me that I also had the faith and confidence. The whole courage to depend on them without having the time to campaign in my constituency was a rare one.”

Asked if his daughter, Miani D. Shira would be the candidate for the Ampati bypoll, Mukul said, the echo was resonating from the electorate, but a decision will be taken at the block and grassroots level after looking all pros and cons.