No impact on Cong in 2018 Assembly polls, claims Prestone

SHILLONG: While the Congress is sad at the defeat of the son of Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh in the by-election to Sohiong-Nongspung seat in the KHADC, the party, however, made it clear that its position will be still bright looking at the overall performance of the Congress.
District Council Affairs Minister Prestone Tynsong said the Congress was still doing well looking at the percentage of votes polled in district council constituencies which went to the by-polls, though the Congress did not win many seats.
The Congress secured one seat in KHADC and clinched the lone JHADC seat.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Friday, Tynsong said the by-poll results will not affect the party in the 2018 Assembly polls and added that the people still have faith in the Congress.
“For us, Sohiong was a sure seat. Till yesterday, we were thinking that we will be able to retain the seat. Being a Congress leader I felt disappointed over the result today. But we have to respect the verdict of the people,” Tynsong said.
Tynsong also said the dual posts issue did not have any impact on the by-election as the Congress government, which passed the dual posts Bill, secured two seats in the by-polls (Rambrai-Jyrngam and War-East) and came in second position in Nongkrem.
The minister also targeted UDP leaders, who had said the by-election will be a signal to 2018 Assembly polls as they will take over the reign of governance then.
“In fact, UDP is affected in this election and there is no justification to their claim for 2018. UDP had only a narrow win in Mairang-Nongkhlaw seat and they lost badly in Pariong-Mawthadraishan,” he said.
Commenting on the setback to HSPDP leader Ardent Basaiawmoit and HS Shylla’s victory, Tynsong said, “Action speaks louder than words.”