NPP, Congress undecided over candidature

SHILLONG: The NPP is adopting a wait and watch policy on officially announcing the party’s candidate to contest the Tura Lok Sabha seat which fell vacant following the demise of party supremo Purno Sangma on March 4. NPP national president Conrad Sangma on Sunday said since the date of poll is yet to be announced by the Election Commission, no decision has been taken by the party regarding the bypoll. However, party sources said that  though Conrad is the likely choice of the party to contest the seat, it all depends on the candidature of the Congress.
To a question, Conrad said there was positive response to the appeal of NPP seeking support from various political parties not to put up any candidate in Tura as a tribute to the late leader.  However, the Congress has decided to field a candidate to contest the seat and sources from the party said that many MLAs wanted Cabinet minister Zenith Sangma to contest the seat.