Guwahati : Ahead of Meghalaya assembly polls, Congress facing major set back after its five legislators on Friday have resigned from the assembly to join BJP ally the National People's Party (NPP).
Apart from the Congress legislators, one United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator and two Independent legislators also resigned from the Meghalaya assembly.
All 8 resigned MLAs will join NPP founded by former Lok Sabha speaker PASangma and the ally party of BJP-led Manipur coalition government.
The five sitting Congress legislators who resigned today are former Ministers Rowell Lyngdoh, Prestone Tynsong, Coming One Ymbon, Sniawbhalang Dhar and Umroi MLA Ngaitlang Dhar.
Apart from the five Congress MLAs, United Democratic Party (UDP) legislator, Remington Pyngrope and two Independent members Stephanson Mukhim and Hopeful Bamon also resigned from the assembly.
All 8 resigned MLAs will join NPP on January 4 next at a public rally.
The 60-member Meghalaya assembly poll will be held early next year.
The Congress which had 30 MLAs now has 24.
Earlier this month, a legislator Pynshngian N Syiem resigned from the assembly to join the newly floated People's Democratic Front (PDP).
(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
