By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Ending silence on possible post-poll tie-up with BJP, the National People’s Party (NPP) has said talks were on with the saffron party to form an alliance before the February 23 Assembly elections in Meghalaya.
“There have been talks and there have been certain decisions arrived at,” NPP leader Conrad K Sangma said on Thursday.
Sangma stated that there would be no pre-poll alliance but there will be some sort of “soft understanding” with like-minded parties.
He said the NPP would contest in those constituencies only where party has the chance of winning adding “we are being realistic and true to ourselves.”
In the 2008 assembly elections, the erstwhile NCP led by PA Sangma had managed to win 15 seats in the 60-member Meghalaya assembly. Conrad, however, said the NPP this time is confident of winning more seats.
NPP has declared names of 35 candidates besides announcing its support to three Independent candidates.
The NPP candidates who are technically NCP legislators will resign from the Assembly next few days.
The opposition leader also said the decision to merge with the NPP will not affect the party’s poll prospect.
“They are connected to the party and its leadership. Switching to another party is not a big issue especially in the rural areas as people do not talk about the NCP anymore,” he said. Referring to the infighting in Congress over allotment of ticket, Conrad said, “The mess within the Congress will benefit NPP” adding that Congress party has been divided into several factions.
Meanwhile, the party has decided to field Prof PM Passah from Shillong North and MK Lyngdoh from Shillong South constituencies.
He also informed that the manifesto of the party, though ready, would be released in the first week of February.