Protesting suspension of former minister R G Lyngdoh, altogether 304 Congress members, including five office bearers and 13 executive members, on Monday resigned en masse from the primary membership of the party.

Rallying behind 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."

Lyngdoh was being given a step-motherly treatment, they said alleging, Congress was busy only in in-fighting and grabbing power at any cost.

"The suspension appears to be a well-calculated move to deprive the leader 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 has been sent to All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi [Images] and other top leaders, stated.

Lyngdoh, a former home minister, was suspended from the party for six years by Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee on charges of anti-party activities a few weeks back.