SHILLONG: The Congress is looking at loyalty rather than ‘winnability’ factor while considering candidates for the 2018 polls.
“Loyalty of party men and legislators is a must and winnability comes second unlike other political parties who prefer winnability first,” Congress Minister Zenith Sangma told a section of the media on Thursday.
While there are media reports that many from the Congress will leave the party prior to the Assembly polls, Sangma said though many people from other parties are approaching the Congress for tickets, the party will look at the loyalty factor.
“Whether to take them into the Congress or not will depend on the party leadership,” Sangma said.
Asked whether dropped Cabinet ministers Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar were disloyal, Sangma said, “I am not speaking about them. They were dropped only to groom others.”
According to Sangma, new minister Comingone Ymbon was promised a Cabinet berth two years ago and Celestine Lyngdoh was another aspirant for a long time.
To a question, Sangma said the dropping of Tynsong and Dhar prior to the Assembly polls would not affect the party’s poll prospects.
“The question of negative impact is only a speculation. Cabinet reshuffle is a normal exercise in running the government and it is the prerogative of the chief minister,” he said.
When asked whether there is any merit in the complaints lodged by the Jowai Block Congress Committee against Dhar, Sangma said, “Prima facie it appears so.”