Shillong, Sep 18: New Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H. Pala on Saturday said that opposition leader Dr. Mukul Sangma did not attend his charge taking function since he was not happy with him.
“He is not here because he is not happy with me,†Pala told party functionaries at a function held at the State Convention Centre, Shillong.
Assuring that the party under his leadership will take Dr. Mukul Sangma into confidence, the MPCC president urged members not to feel that he is there to sideline them.
“There is no need to fight. We can help each other. I am not here to destroy but build the party,†Pala added.
Later speaking to journalists, the MPCC president said that his main job ahead is how to unite the party.
“We need to tell the people of Meghalaya that the people have hope in the party and if we work together then only people will trust us. First we have to trust amongst ourselves and unite, then only people will trust us,†he said.
When asked to clarify his statement that Dr. Sangma did not attend the function because he did not like him, Pala said that the former did not come for the programme “maybe†because he does not like him.
It may be mentioned that the leader of opposition for the second time this week did not attend a programme organised by the MPCC.
Dr. Sangma was also absent from the function held on September 16 which welcomed back former Home Minister RG Lyngdoh and ex-MLA PN Syiem.
Apart from him, all other party legislators from Garo Hills also did not attend the programme on Saturday.
When asked about it, Pala said, “(Congress) Legislators in Garo Hills are mainly Mukul’s family and friends and so naturally if he is not there others will not be there.â€
The MPCC chief also said that he will be meeting Dr. Sangma even as he added that he used to be a dear friend.
“I always consider him to be the boss in the party and as a friend,†Pala added.