Conrad not in fray in 2018 Assembly polls

SHILLONG: National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Sangma said on Thursday he would not contest the 2018 Assembly elections.
“I will not contest in this particular election. People have given a mandate to me to be the Member of Parliament,” he told reporters.
With six months left for the elections, the Tura MP said the party has already started preparations while the process of setting up the state election committee will begin in a week or two.
He stated that it is the responsibility of the election committee to take a call on candidates as well as alliance, be it pre-poll or post-poll.
“We are hoping for an excellent response from the people this time. People are looking for change as they are tired of seeing this governance and the complete financial breakdown of the system,” he said but added that a lot of groundwork has to be done.
On forging a pre-poll alliance, the NPP leader said though the party “is keen to work with like-minded parties” but it is tough because there are organisational difficulties “every political party has its own areas and sometimes it is not easy to compromise on those things”.
“But as for post-poll alliance, there will be some understanding,” he added.
When asked on whether any sitting legislators are in touch with the party, Sangma casually pointed out that it is normal to meet one another to discuss about issues concerning the state.
“There is no denying the fact that people are in touch. Everybody is in touch with every party. There is nothing to be alarmed about it. It is a natural process. We have been meeting… It is normal to meet,” he said.
‘Feel bad about Bamon’
The MP said the party and its leaders were emotionally attached to senior leader ECB Bamon who quit the party last month.
“We feel bad that he has to leave the party which is his personal decision. We have no hard feelings,” he added.
When asked whether the party would put up candidates in all the 60 constituencies, Sangma 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 organisational grassroots level to contest in all the seats and the party is preparing for it but it is the election committee that will decide in the end, Sangma said.