Meghalaya Congress MLA Martin M Danggo resigned from the state Assembly on Friday. With his resignation, the Congress is no longer the single largest party in the legislature, PTI reported. The Congress now has 20 MLAs in the 60-seat Assembly, equal to the National People’s Party, which is running a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

“I hereby tender my resignation of my seat in the assembly from Ranikor Assembly constituency with effect from June 21,” Danggo said in his resignation letter submitted to Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira.

Danggo also quit the primary membership of the Congress. “As per the desire of my people, I have tendered the resignation of my seat in the assembly from Ranikor,” he told Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee President Celestine Lyngdoh in a letter, the Hindustan Times reported. “Therefore, with deep sorrow and regret in my heart, I am also resigning from the primary membership of the Congress along with all the positions I have held in the party till today.

“I will definitely cherish all the fond memories, love and family spirit during my long association with the Congress,” Danggo added.” Forgive me for hurting you by my sudden decision… I will miss you all.” He will now join the National People’s Party.

Danggo had announced his decision to quit during a public meeting Chief Minister Conrad Sangma attended on June 12 in Ranikor. He said he was resigning because Sangma promised civil subdivision status to the constituency.

The Congress became the single-largest party in Meghalaya after its candidate Miani D Shira won the Ampati Assembly seat in bye-elections held on May 28.