From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The race to the Congress ticket for newly created 31-Mawthadraishan Assembly Constituency took an interesting turn after Union Minister of State for Water Resources and Minority Affairs, Vincent H Pala announced that Dr Advisor Pariong (HSPDP) is all set to join the Congress.
Pala informed this at a public meeting at Pariong on Saturday last in presence of HDR Lyngdoh Chief Organiser (MPCC), Boldness Nongum, president District Congress Committee (West Khasi Hills) and Irene Lyngdoh, MDC, Pariong Constituency along with people from all the polling stations of Mawthadraishan.
Pala, however, made it clear that final allotment of Congress tickets would be made taking into account the interests of the people and the AICC.
With Boldness Nongum and Irene Lyngdoh already in the fray for the coveted Congress ticket for Mawthadraishan, Pala’s announcement now leaves the people perplexed as to who the ticket would be allotted to.
Despite reports that Irene Lyngdoh enjoys mass support and allotment of ticket to another candidate would result in a possible split in the party, HDR Lyngdoh dismissed all talks about the Congress being divided, terming them as rumours.
“The party is as united and strong as ever. There is no split in the offing and people should discard such claims,” he said.
Talking about the allotment of ticket in Mawthadraishan, Lyngdoh said tickets would only be allotted after discussion with party members and consultations with the AICC.
Meanwhile, adding to the speculations, HSPDP (Central Body) general secretary, Enbin Raswai, told this scribe that he had come across rumours about Dr Pariong’s intention to join the Congress. Raswai, however, clarified that Dr Pariong had not resigned from the HSPDP as yet.