Former Lok Sabha Speaker P.A. Sangma is likely to resign his Tura Lok Sabha seat from Meghalaya in case he leaves Nationalist Trinamool Congress (NTC) and rejoins Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.Sources disclosed here today that Sangma has already reached an understanding with NCP over his return to the party, but he has deferred a decision to consult legal experts on his move. Sangma has promised to make up his mind by the end of this month.According to sources, experts have warned Sangma that the new anti-defection law makes it impossible for him to retain his membership of the Lok Sabha after switching to NCP from the NTC. He and Mamata Banerjee are the two NTC members in the Lower House.The prospect of contesting a by-election to return to the Lok Sabha involves a lot of homework even though Sangma has won eight Lok Sabha elections. His task would get much easier if the Congress does not put a spanner — given his strong stand against Sonia Gandhi on the foreign origin issue.While Sangma’s own decision is awaited, his son Conrad Sangma is likely contest an Assembly by-election in Meghalaya on an NCP ticket.Pawar is keen on Sangma’s return because his presence would help him enlarge the profile of his party. For Sangma, it would offer an opportunity to emerge from political wilderness.
