Five independents ‘willing’ to contest on Cong ticket

SHILLONG: Five independent legislators are willing to contest the upcoming Assembly polls as Congress candidates, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Thursday.
Sangma said four independent MLAs from Garo Hills and one from Khasi Hills want to contest on Congress ticket and it is under examination.
“Their names will have to be approved by the Central Election Committee of the party,” he said, adding, “In Jaintia Hills, there are some people who are not MLAs but they are interested in joining the party.”
Sources said that the MLAs who may join the party are David Nongrum, Samuel Sangma, Michael Sangma, Ashahel D Shira and Brigady Marak.
When asked about the withdrawal of some independent MLAs from the MUA-II government, Sangma said, “They withdrew themselves from the government as battle lines for the elections have been drawn.”
Two Independent MLAs, Rophul S Marak and Robinus Syngkon, recently withdrew their support from the Congress-led MUA-II government.
Another reason for the withdrawal of independent MLAs from the government is that the Congress already has potential nominees from their constituencies.
Sangma took a dig at the independents for criticising the government saying, “It’s not a new trend as it’s a way for them to reach out to the people and tell them that they are better than others.”
“Non-performers are blaming others who have performed,” Sangma said and added that people who have not achieved anything blame the government and others and it is seen that those who do this are rejected by the electorate.
Mukul confident
Sangma downplayed the reported decision of the Opposition to move a no confidence motion against the government in the winter session saying it had earlier tried to topple the government on many occasions.
“They have plenty of time to engage in these activities and we know how to deal with these,” Sangma said.
NPP is planning to move a no confidence motion against the MUA-II government.