Congress members quit enmasse

SHILLONG: Altogether 304 Congress members, including five office bearers and 13 executive members, on Monday resigned enmasse from the primary membership of the party alleging neglect by the leadership.
   
Rallying behind suspended Congress leader and former minister RG Lyngdoh, the members said in a statement here, "The suspension (of Lyngdoh) has badly affected the image of the party. It's consequences would be felt in the next Lok Sabha elections."
   
"The suspension appears to be a well-calculated move to deprive Lyngdoh of the Lok Sabha ticket. The leadership did not take into account the sentiments and views of members before the move," the statement, a copy of which was sent to AICC president Sonia Gandhi and othet top leaders, stated.
   
Lyngdoh was being given a step-motherly treatment, they said and alleged that Congress was busy only in in-fighting and grabbing power at any cost.
   
Lyndoh, a former home minister, was suspended from the party for six years by Meghalaya PCC on charges of anti-party activities few weeks back.