NCP to go it alone in 2018 Assembly polls

SHILLONG: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the State has decided to go it alone in next year’s Assembly elections and field candidates from at least 40 of the 60 constituencies.
Speaking to media persons here on Friday, NCP National Secretary and spokesperson Narendra Verma said the party, which has two MLAs, is focusing on Meghalaya and may also contest from all the constituencies.
NCP bigwigs like Sharad Pawar and Praful Patel will visit the State in July to address a state-level convention.
While pre-poll alliance is not in the scheme of things for NCP, Verma did not rule out the possibility of a post-poll handshake.
The party was a coalition partner of the UPA government at the Centre. However, NCP state leaders have decided “not to hold on to the Congress but develop the party independently”.
Verma said NCP is getting good response in the State and many legislators have sent feelers to join the party.
Congress blamed
“People in Meghalaya are disappointed with the Congress and they are looking at NCP for a change,” he added. Curiously, NCP is supporting the Congress led MUA-II coalition Government in Meghalaya.
Slamming the NDA Government over the ban on cow slaughter, Verma said the Central Government cannot decide on what people should eat and wear. “This is Meghalaya and this is democracy,” he said.