Tura parliamentary by-election
SHILLONG: Newly elected NPP president Conrad Sangma on Monday said the decision to put up a candidate for the Tura Lok Sabha by-poll has to be unanimous.
Speaking to media persons after being felicitated at the NPP office in the city here, Conrad said it would be premature for him to speak on his chances of contesting the Tura by-poll, and added that the matter has to be discussed in the family and with party workers and whatever decision is taken has to be unanimous.
He also said that most of the political parties in the State have responded positively to the appeal of the NPP not to put up any candidate for the Tura by-poll as a tribute to late P.A. Sangma.
He, however, declined to reveal the names of the political parties which have not accepted the appeal.
On the recent statement of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma that the Congress will put up a candidate for the Parliamentary by-election in Tura since the NPP had fielded its candidate for the Chokpot Assembly by-poll, Conrad said it is up to the wisdom of the chief minister and the Congress high command since it is their internal matter.
Conrad further informed that the NPP is now concentrating on the Assam Assembly elections and party is working towards selecting some candidates who were finalized by late P.A. Sangma.
Informing that the late NPP founder had initiated steps to open an NPP office at Imphal in Manipur keeping the 2017 state elections in mind, Conrad said they would ensure that the office is set up soon.
He went on to say that the party would strive to meet the objective set by late Sangma who wanted to improve the living standards of the tribal people across the country.
“I have taken the decision to take over the post of national president of NPP but there is no reason for me to neglect the issues faced by the people of Meghalaya, be it in Jaintia hills, Khasi Hills or Garo hills,” Conrad added.