Meghalaya: Congress Set Revival in Garo Hills as Winnerson Sangma, Sadhiarani Sangma to Rejoin Party

Tura: In a significant boost to the Meghalaya Congress ahead of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) elections, former Salmanpara MLA Winnerson D Sangma is all set to return to the grand old party after briefly contesting the 2023 Assembly polls on a Trinamool Congress (TMC) ticket.

According to reports, Winnerson D Sangma, a close confidant of former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, along with former GHADC MDC Sadhiarani M Sangma (wife of ex-Rangsakona MLA Zenith M Sangma), will be formally welcomed back into the Congress fold on November 26 at a public function in Rangsakona.

The development comes barely a month after Zenith M Sangma, a heavyweight in Garo Hills politics, made a high-profile “ghar wapsi” to the Congress, dealing a severe blow to the TMC’s ambitions in the region.

Winnerson, who had joined the BJP in March 2024, sparking speculation about Mukul Sangma’s own political future, is learnt to have requested a Congress ticket for the upcoming GHADC polls. Sadhiarani had unsuccessfully contested the November 2024 Gambegre by-election on a TMC ticket.

In another positive sign for the Congress, state leaders are holding advanced discussions with former South Tura MLA John Leslee K Sangma for his possible return. Sources said John Leslee is expected to meet Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Vincent H Pala soon to finalise the move.

The string of homecomings has put the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC under immense pressure in Meghalaya. Political observers believe that with more leaders likely to switch sides in the coming weeks, the party’s presence in the state could shrink dramatically.

Shortly after rejoining Congress, Zenith Sangma had criticised the TMC leadership for failing to build a connection with the people. “The TMC has not been able to remain in public memory across the state. It may survive in a few pockets, but not statewide,” he said, asserting that only the Congress has a true pan-Meghalaya and pan-India character.

Dismissing allegations of dynastic politics, Zenith emphasised that elected representatives serve thousands of constituents, not just family interests, and urged a shift in public perception.

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