By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Former Union Minister of State Vincent H Pala has indirectly indicated that Sohiong Congress candidate HDR Lyngdoh, if re-elected, could be a strong contender for the Chief Minister’s post.
Addressing a public rally attended by thousands at Sohiong on the last day of election campaign on Thursday, Pala minced no words when he said, “He (HDR) would be elevated to a higher position if he is re-elected. Despite being only a Minister in charge of Home and PWD, he has been able to perform more than a Chief Minister.”
The former Union Minister also urged people of the constituency to back the sitting MLA in order to have a legislator ‘who can sit at the top’.
“The people of Sohiong would be making the biggest mistake if they elect a new entrant into politics,” Pala said while referring to the UDP candidate Braston Kharphuli who is first-timer.
Pala pointed out that the number of people attending the public rally was much higher than the crowds present in the meetings of both AICC president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi.
“With such a massive support, I do not have any doubt about the fate of the Congress candidate. I am sure that we would have a bigger gathering to celebrate the victory after the counting on February 28,” Pala said. Meanwhile, thanking Pala for backing him to take a ‘higher position’ in the cabinet Lyngdoh said only the people of Sohiong can translate the same into reality.
“I have served the constituency for the last 20 years and would love to continue to work for the betterment of the people, especially the poor and the downtrodden, here,” Lyngdoh said.
Coming down heavily on his opponents for questioning his contribution towards the development of the constituency, he said that the people of the constituency know the good he have done in these four terms he represented as their MLA.