By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Former and sitting legislators, who have joined the Samajwadi party to contest the upcoming election, said that the party would be an alternate to the Congress and other political outfits in the State.
Former Minister Manirul Islam Sarkar, who had earlier applied for the Congress ticket, said that the SP can make a difference in Meghalaya politics as the party is pro poor.
Sarkar said that he has already resigned from the Congress and is set to contest on an SP ticket from Phulbari in West Garo Hills.
Congress has fielded AT Mondal to contest the Phulbari seat.
SP is a regional party in Uttar Pradesh established in 1992 with an ideology of democratic socialist principles focusing on empowering the Other Backward Classes.
Sitting legislator Augustine Marak, who will also contest on an SP ticket, said that the party will field at least 20 to 25 candidates in the elections.
He also hoped that SP will open its account in Meghalaya for the first time in the upcoming election.
Meanwhile, sitting legislator Samuel Sangma denied reports that he will contest on an SP ticket.
“I have already decided to contest as an Independent candidate and there is no change of mind,” he added.
An agency report from Lucknow on Friday had stated that Samuel was one of the 13 candidates finalized by the SP to contest the Meghalaya polls.
