Pariong pledges support to party candidate Gabriel Wahlang
NONGSTOIN: Things seem to be finally back on track for the Congress party with signs of infighting subsiding after Adviser Pariong, a contender for the party ticket for the Nongstoin by-election, deciding to abide by the rules and guidelines of the MPCC and announcing his support for Gabriel Wahlang, the party nominee for the November 21 by-polls.
Pariong’s decision, however, did not go down well with his supporters who were miffed that he had turned down their pleas to contest the election as a rebel candidate. He made it clear to his supporters that his decision not to contest the polls was final and asked them to support the candidature of Wahlang, who has been nominated by the party to fight the battle for the prestigious seat.
“If I get a chance, I will contest again in 2018,” Pariong said, adding that he had come to an understanding with his supporters to join hand with Gabriel Wahlang, so that the Congress will create history by winning the Nongstoin seat for the first time in the State’s political history.
Soon after an understanding was reached between Pariong and Wahlang, a meeting was convened at Congress Bhavan, Nongstoin, where the two groups agreed to work together for the party’s victory.
Another Congress ticket aspirant – Nestingdar Nongdkhar – also announced his support to Gabriel Wahlang. Subsequently, all the 39 primary units of the Congress in West Khasi Hills reiterated their support to the party candidate.
Commenting on the support, Wahlang said, “Getting the Congress ticket is the first step towards victory”.
He, however, added that the real fight has just begun and urged all the party workers to begin campaigning in full swing. He also told his well-wishers that the aim of the Congress party in Nongstoin should be to usher in change. He also mentioned that it was only the Congress party that could fulfill the aspirations of the people.
Wahlang also dispelled rumours that the Congress party in Nongstoin had suffered a split during the party ticket allotment fray. He assured that the party was very much united and that preparations were on to attain a landslide victory in the by-election.
Wahlang also thanked the AICC, MPCC and the NBCC for fulfilling the people’s wishes as the people had asked for a local candidate and the AICC and MPCC had showered their blessings on the people of Nongstoin.
On being asked who his nearest rival was, Wahlang said that it was the HSPDP candidate.
He was however quick to add that after the Congress allotted the ticket to him, even the HSPDP had been weakened as most of the people desiring change had joined his side.