Shillong: Meghalaya Congress president Vincent H Pala claims his party is gaining ground as internal fighting tears through regional groups like the United Democratic Party. The UDP has seen MLAs jump to the BJP and widespread internal fractures. Pala believes this instability gives Congress a clear opening to regain its footing before the upcoming by-polls.
The party spent seven months hitting the ground. They held meetings in Sumer, Soutanand, West Khasi Hills, and Ri-Bhoi. They need this momentum. The Congress lost several MLAs, MDCs, and a district president, forcing a total rebuild from the bottom up.
Pala admits the loss of elected officials stung at first. "When we lost our elected representatives, we initially thought the situation would be difficult. But the additional time has helped us reorganise and consolidate our workers," Pala said. He pointed to former ministers Bapawn Lamare and Lahkmen Rymbui leaving regional platforms as proof that voters are losing faith in regional parties.
Congress now operates without a single MLA or MDC in the state. Pala claims this is not a death sentence. He points to the Voice of the People Party as proof that a group can rise from nothing. He believes the party’s long history and inclusive nature will pull voters back to their fold. The real test starts now. The party must convert daily meetings into votes without the backing of established officeholders.
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