From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Leaders of 21 primary units of the Congress of Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency in West Khasi Hills have appealed JTS Thongni, who was denied the Congress ticket, to either join another party or contest the upcoming Assembly election as an Independent.
The appeal was made during a meeting at Thongni’s residence in Nongstoin on Tuesday attended by the primary unit leaders and by Nastar Kharlyngdoh, who was also an aspirant of the Congress party ticket from the same constituency.
Thongni, however, informed that he has already been approached by the NPP and the NCP to contest on their behalf but had turned them down. He added that he along with Nastar had decided to remain with the party and work unitedly to ensure success for Kingford Kharsyntiew, Congress’ official candidate for the seat.
Later, Thongni told this scribe that he would like to urge the MPCC to follow the guidelines and the working policy of the party.
Pointing out that in the voting by members of the primary units for selection of the candidate he had secured 75 per cent votes while Kimfa Marbaniang had secured 25 per cent, Thongni stated that the MPCC had disrespected the wishes and aspirations of the people.
He, however, urged the MPCC to support Kharsyntiew financially and morally to ensure his win in the election.
Recalling that it was he who had opened the Congress’ account in Rambrai in 2004 by contested and winning the MDC election, Thongni said that he would feel like a traitor to be contesting against his own party.
Thongni also informed that on May 1 last all the four Congress ticket aspirants from Rambrai had signed a pact wherein they had agreed that no matter who gets the ticket they would stay united and support the party. He also said that it was unfortunate that Kimfa Marbaniang had decided to contest as an Independent.
Political observers are of the opinion that both Thongni and Kharlyngdoh are senior Congress leaders in Rambrai and their exit from the party would render the Congress null and void in the constituency.