SHILLONG: Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Shillong, Vincent Pala has claimed that it will not be too difficult for the party to win the next Assembly polls if the party can field the right candidate at the right place.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a programme, the MP stated that all parties have made begun preparing for the polls and the Congress party too has given out the application forms for poll aspirants and many of them have submitted their applications seeking Congress nomination.
Informing that he has toured the villages of South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and Jaintia Hills in these two months, he said, “The people are still incline towards the Congress party except in coal belt areas of East Jaintia Hills and certain pockets of West Khasi Hills.”
He said that there might be some issues with local Congress leaders; otherwise, he puts it as “It is not too difficult for Congress.” Taunted for not getting aspirants from certain constituencies, Pala maintained, “We do have candidates. Congress will field candidates in all 60 seats.”
“Some adjustments are to be made as some members have left but we have candidates. There are some aspirants who haven’t received acceptance letters of their resignation submitted to their respective employers. There are some who are in other parties also but it’s too early for them to resign,” he added.
On the infighting in the Congress, he said, “Mudslinging will be in every party. That’s not abnormal.”
Pala has stated that he prefers to serve at the national forum rather than returning to state politics.
He told reporters, “So far, I have no inclination to come to the state politics as my children are still young. The mandate is to serve at the national forum. As of now, I am trying to do my level best for national politics and I have no inclination to return to state politics.”
According to him, there is no difference whether he is in the state or national politics as he gets involve in both. Pala has been an MP since the year 2009.
On the party’s poll preparation, he said, “The preparations have just begun but until and unless we finalize the candidates, it will difficult to predict who will win and who will lose. It is not only about the party but also depends on the face value of the candidate.
“We will perform well with good candidates otherwise it would be difficult for any party. As of now, when it comes to national parties like BJP, Congress and NPP, almost all of them are enthusiastic on this issue,” he said.
Commenting on BJP’s “40-seat target”, Pala said, “Now in politics, even if I say so, people will still know who is who. It does not wholly depend on BJP or my claims as people know who will come (to power).”
However, he admitted that BJP has been able to draw some influence in the state as compared to previous years since it is in power at the Center.
According to him, the BJP’s boast of getting of 40 seats has very less chance and said “But it all comes to down to the kind of candidates they field.”
AICC leaders visit to Shillong
All India Congress Committee (AICC) leaders from Delhi will arrive in the state on Monday. Pala said, “AICC in-charge will arrive in on October 24 and meeting will be held on October 25 where we will sort out on Roshan Warjri’s announcement on not to contest the elections.”
It may be recalled that WHD Syngkon has announced his intention to contest the election and is set to face a tough fight against BJP’s state vice president, J A Lyngdoh.