SHILLONG : The Lok Sabha MP from Tura and National People’s Party (NPP) president, Conrad Sangma informed that he would not contest the state Assembly elections in 2018.
“In this particular election, I will not be contesting. People has given a mandate for me to be a member of the Parliament,” he told reporters here on Thursday.
He said that the NPP had already started preparing for the elections and the process of setting up the state election committee would begin in a week or two.
He stated that it was the responsibility of the election committee to take a call on candidates, seeking application for candidature and assessing the situation.
“We are hoping for a very good response from the people this time. People are looking for a change and people are tired of seeing sorry state of governance as of now and the complete breakdown of the financial system in the state. We hope people will see that and will want a change,” he said.
He admitted that out a lot of ground work had to be done for state level elections. Commenting on whether the party will go for a pre-poll or post-poll alliance, Sangma said that the election committee that would be would look into the aspect.
“We have always been keen to work with like-minded parties but pre-poll alliances are tough because every political party has got their own areas and sometimes it is not easy to compromise on those things,” he said.
He pointed out that there were organisational difficulties that one faced in pre-poll alliances which is not easy. Referring to the post poll alliance he said, “But as for post-poll alliance, there will be some understanding.”
When asked on whether any sitting legislators are in touch with the party, Sangma casually pointed out that it was normal to meet one another to discuss about issues concerning the state and political scenario.
He said, “There is no denying the fact that people are in touch. Everybody is in touch with every party. It is nothing to be alarmed about.”
“It is a natural process, there is nothing unnatural about it. We have been meeting. It is normal to meet,” he said.
When asked about the exit of senior NPP leader, ECB Bamon, he said, “We are emotionally attached to him. We feel bad that he has to leave the party which is his personal decision. We have no hard feelings.”
As for the decision to put up candidates in all 60 constituencies, he said, “We have to see the feasibility of it. We have to see where we can give a good fight and what kind of understanding develops in the long run with other political parties.”
“There has been pressure from the grass root of the party organization to contest in all 60 seats and party is organising in that manner but it is the election committee that will take to final decide where to contest,” Sangma said.