Shillong, Jan 23: Two sitting legislators have resigned as members of the Assembly to contest as candidates of the ruling Congress.
The ruling party also received a shot in the arm as a host of BJP leaders joined the party at Congress Bhavan here on Tuesday.
Independent MLA from Bajengdoba seat, Brigady Marak and NCP legislator from Mendipathar constituency, Marthon Sangma resigned as members of the Assembly on Tuesday.
Three more MLAs will quit as members of the Assembly to contest as candidates of the Congress.
Five former leaders of the BJP from North Shillong constituency who joined the Congress include Keith Pariat, former president of BJP Shillong city, who along with other leaders, W.O. Thangkhiew, Sunshine Warjri, and William Marbaniang.
They were welcomed into the Congress party by AICC general secretary in-charge Meghalaya, C.P. Joshi, Meghalaya PCC president, Celestine Lyngdoh, Lok Sabha MP, Vincent H. Pala and other party leaders.
Pariat had joined the BJP 2015 and informed that he had to leave the BJP due to mismanagement in the party.
He also said that the fear of people that certain things might happen if BJP came in the state, “is a genuine fear.
Meanwhile Shillong MP Vinbcet H. Pala said that National People’s Party, BJP and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) have understanding among them.
“For example, the BJP is yet to announce candidate against paul Lyngdoh from West Shillong since the NPP is fielding its candidate. The NPP did not name candidate from Khliehriat constituency as well from constituencies in Shillong city where they feel the BJP is strong. The PDF too did not field candidate in East Shillong since the BJP is putting up candidate. These are indications that NPP, PDF and BJP are together but we are prepared for that,†Pala said.