Sangma back in NCP, Cong still peeved

Sangma had made up his mind to return to the NCP soon after 2004 Lok Sabha polls, but had delayed his decision for one year for fear of facing a by-election without Congress support after quitting the seat. The Congress has managed to build up an alternative leadership in Garo hills after Sangma’s exit. The defeat of the former Speaker’s son Conrad Sangma (NCP) at the hands of Congress nominee Mukul Sangma in the Selsella assembly by-election about a year ago manifested this change in the Meghalaya political scenario.

As Pawar announced his formal re-admission to the party, Sangma admitted to reporters here today that there was no chance of the Congress backing him, notwithstanding the fact that the parties happen to be partners in the ruling UPA. He went to the extent of saying that ‘‘my main opponent in the polls will be the Congress candidate’’.

After Pawar announced that Sangma would be in charge of the north-east, the latter told reporters that the NCP would have no tie-up with ruling Congress in the Assam assembly polls. The NCP, according to him, was exploring possibilities of a seat adjustment with Left parties and the AGP faction led by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. ‘‘Our relations with the Congress vary from place to place, state to state,’’ he said. As for Sonia’s foreign origin issue, Sangma said, ‘‘That does not exist any more, it is a closed chapter.’’ He pointed out that ‘‘when she (Sonia Gandhi) declined to be the Prime minister, I thanked her for the decision and I am happy’’.