‘Congress to form next Govt in state’

SHILLONG: Congress minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh is confident of the party forming the government in 2018 despite the anti-incumbency factor and internal bickering.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Lyngdoh said the Congress would be able to form the government on its own due to its varied development activities.
The Congress-led MUA-II government has 30 members in the House of 60 supported by two NCP MLAs and Independents.
To a query, Lyngdoh said despite a few dislikes, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma was acceptable to all.
The Urban and Municipal Affairs minister said the Congress would have an advantage in the context of the overall suffocating situation in the country where freedom is choked by supporters of the ruling party at the Centre.
“We love freedom and free thinking and the Congress is for the inclusive growth of the people of the State,” Lyngdoh said.
Asked about the dropping of two Cabinet ministers, Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar, Lyngdoh said he did not think they would leave the party.
According to the minister, the Cabinet reshuffle was necessary to entrust new responsibilities to the legislators who were inducted, and at the same time, those who were dropped would have a greater role to play in party affairs.
While denying the reports that there would be exodus of legislators from the party, Lyngdoh said, “I am not above the party. So are other legislators.”
He, however, hoped that the Congress legislators would be intact prior to the polls.