By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Former Union Minister of State Vincent H Pala has come under attack from his own party men for his inability to garner support for the Congress candidate from Sutnga-Saipung constituency in his village, Lamyrsiang.
Congress candidate from 5-Sutnga-Saipung, Shitlang Pale managed only eight votes from Lamyrsiang.
Party leaders –F Nongtdu, E Dkhar, M Pashiang, D Malang, L Sukhlain, B Myrmen and S Sutnga– in a statement issued to the press said, that despite the fact that the MP himself voted in the village, he could not improve the number of votes for the Congress candidate who, lost to Independent candidate Hopeful Bamon.
The seven leaders stated that out of the 404 votes in the 23-Lamyrsiang polling station, the Independent candidate garnered 396 votes while the Congress’ Pale was left to manage with 8 votes only.
“This raises a question on the credibility of the MP on the issue of canvassing for the party when he could barely get 8 votes for the Congress in his own village,” the Congress leaders said, adding that Pala had lost the confidence of his own people.
Interestingly, sources revealed that Pala was allegedly supporting his own loyalist, Bamon, from Sutnga-Saipung.
Meanwhile, in what is being termed as major setback for Pala, sources say that many of his candidates have failed to make it to the Assembly in Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
According to sources, Pala loyalists who failed to win from West Khasi Hills include Kingford Kharsyntiew (Rambrai-Jyrngam), Dr Eureka P Lyngdoh (Mairang), Methodius Dkhar (Mawshynrut) and Boldness Nongum (Mawthadraishan).
“From East Khasi Hills, Jropsing Nongkhlaw (Shella), Pynehborlang Mukhim (Mawryngkneng) and Drola Khongjoh (Mawkynrew), considered Pala loyalists, also lost,” sources said. Barnabas Nangbah (Jirang), who was also backed by Pala from Ri-Bhoi failed in the recently concluded Assembly polls, sources said, alleging that the former Union Minister had put up candidates against the party’s official choice in several constituencies.
The sources, however, admitted that Pala loyalists like Prof RC Laloo (Jowai) and Comingone Ymbon (Raliang) succeeded in retaining their seats in the polls.