By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) this time will break its previous record in Garo Hills set under the leadership of Purno A Sangma, claims NCP’s state unit president Sanbor Shullai.
Releasing the party’s manifesto here on Tuesday, Shullai exuded confidence that the NCP would win all the 12 seats the party is contesting in Garo Hills.
The NCP would put up a stiff challenge for the NPP nominees including Conrad and James Sangma, he said. When asked whether the NCP would be able to perform without Sangma brothers, Shullai said the party would not collapse just because one or two members resign from it to join another party. In 2008, NCP had fielded 36 candidates and won in 15 seats. This time the party has fielded 21 candidates. Shullai said that in Garo Hills the fight would be between NCP and the NPP. “Conrad Sangma is also facing a stiff challenge in Selsella from NCP candidate Lalthantluanga D Shira,” Shullai claimed.
Commenting on Tura MP Agatha Sangma, who is reportedly campaigning for NPP candidates, the NCP leader said the party would lodge a complaint to the high command seeking her suspension from the party. Shullai refused to comment on whether the NCP would prefer supporting the NPP and other light-minded parties for the formation of the new government stating that “The same would be sorted out only after the elections.”
When asked if NCP would join hands with Congress, NCP President said, “We will not form a government with Congress”. Shullai, however, said, “If the Congress agrees to follow our agendas. We will have discussion with our party high command and then take a decision to it.” Meanwhile, reacting to a question on similarities between NCP and NPP manifestos, Shullai said “We have been there for many years, but the NPP is just a new party. So the similarity in the manifestos is an indication that the NPP has copied the NCP manifesto.”