Cong may gain as Opposition parties remain divided

SHILLONG: The inability of the regional parties to come to a consensus on the issue of projecting a single candidate to take on the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from the Shillong seat is likely to affect their prospect.
Things are, however, different in Tura, where non-Congress parties have shown unanimity in supporting the NPP candidate (Agatha Sangma) from the Tura seat.
The People’s Candidate Forum (PCF) formed recently has decided to field Rev. PBM Basaiawmoit from the Shillong seat had has managed to get the support of a section of HSPDP members.
The main regional party, the UDP, had projected Paul Lyngdoh as their candidate and sought support from the non-Congress political parties like the NPP, BJP and KHNAM.
However, as division continues among the regional parties, things are looking ominous for the Congress in the Shillong seat which is in all likelihood, going to witness a three-cornered contest.
The Congress has been delaying announcement of the name of their candidate to contest the Shillong seat as the Congress High Command is yet to decide the candidate from among the three choices – sitting MP Vincent Pala, John F Kharshiing and Charles Pyngrope.