From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH: In a major boost to the National People’s Party (NPP) in Jirang Assembly constituency, Congress MDC Artist Ranee on Monday openly declared to support NPP candidate S Sohtun in the forthcoming elections.
Ranee took the decision after being denied the Congress ticket to contest in the forthcoming Assembly. Notably he had won the MDC election on a UDP ticket but defected to the Congress later.
Ranee publicly announced his support for Sohtun at a public meeting held at Patharkhmah Community Hall, attended by Sohtun, Clifford Nengnong (NPP youth working president), Nikhil R Marak (Jirang NPP general secretary), Wantimon Marbaniang (president Jirang NPP Mahila body), Elizabeth Jyrwa (secretary Jirang NPP Mahila body).
The meeting was also attended by a large number of supporters of the Jirang MDC.
Ranee said he had decided to support Sohtun as he was a local resident of the constituency and thus he knew the problems and difficulties of the people of the constituency. He claimed that would work hard to ensure that Sohtun is elected from the constituency.
Firing salvo at the Congress party, the Jirang MDC, without naming anyone, alleged that when he had gone to seek ticket from the Congress higher up they had demanded Rs one crore from him.
He also stated that he did not care about any disciplinary action against him by the Congress party as the party did not care to listen to the voices of the people.
Sohtun, meanwhile, said that he had gained more strength with the support of Ranee, while urging the people not to be swayed by monetary offers.
Political observers are of the opinion that with the latest development, the NPP now has a favourable chance of opening its account in Ri-Bhoi district.