Ronnie twist to LS ticket race

SHILLONG: In a new twist to the ‘battle’ for the Congress ticket for the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, Government Chief Whip and Congress legislator from Mylliem, Ronnie V Lyngdoh, on Wednesday announced that he was in the race as the fourth contender for the party ticket.
“This development is not a sudden one. Discussions related to my candidature for the Lok Sabha election has been going on within the party for quite some time,” the Mylliem legislator said.
Claiming that as a loyal party worker, he was ready to take up any responsibility given to him by the party, Lyngdoh said, “As public leaders, we should be ready to serve in whatever capacity that is assigned to us.”
With Lyngdoh’s disclosure about his intention to contest the Lok Sabha election, the battle for the Congress ticket has now been thrown wide open with four contenders vying for the prestigious ticket. Besides Lyngdoh, sitting Lok Sabha member Vincent H Pala, Co-Chairman of the State Planning Board John F Kharshiing and former Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope are in the fray for the Congress ticket.
Lyngdoh has jumped into the fray ostensibly at the behest of Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma, a Congress insider said on Wednesday.
Interestingly, when contacted Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president DD Lapang, as is usually the case, refused to comment on the matter saying that he was busy in a meeting.
Meanwhile, the Mylliem legislator also informed that he would not be contesting the upcoming district council election.
“I have taken this decision not to contest the election after a meeting with my supporters and members of the Mylliem Block Congress Committee on Tuesday. I have told them that I would like to focus on my responsibilities as an MLA,” he said on Wednesday.
“I am glad that the people have permitted me to stay away from the district council polls. The party leadership has also accepted my decision,” Lyngdoh said.
The Mylliem legislator informed that he has proposed the name of Mylliem Youth Congress Committee (MYCC) vice president Jona Syiem as the party candidate to contest the district council election, and expressed confidence that the Congress would win the Mylliem seat.
Sitting MDC Teilinia Thangkhiew (HSPDP) and former KSU leader Hamletson Dohling (UDP) are in the fray for the February 24 election.