In a massive jolt to the Congress in Meghalaya, 12 of its 17 MLAs led by former chief minister Mukul Sangma have joined Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.
The breakaway group has submitted a list of MLAs crossing over to the TMC to state Assembly Speaker and informed him about their decision.
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The development is a major boost for West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, who has been trying to expand her party's footprint beyond her native state.
The induction has made Trinamool the principal opposition party in Meghalaya.
The move came a day after three-term Congress MP from Bihar Kirti Azad, former JD(U) general secretary Pawan Varma and Haryana politician Ashok Tanwar joined her party.
The Trinamool has been trying to expand its footprint in Tripura and Goa with an eye to the next round of assembly elections in these states.
Banerjee, who is in the national capital, on being asked about her plans to call on Sonia Gandhi had said on Tuesday it is not mandatory to meet the Congress president every time she visits New Delhi.
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