SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) has ruled out any pre-poll alliance a day after BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav hinted at shaking hands with like-minded parties before the 2018 polls.
“We will not go for pre-poll alliance with any parties in the state and our plan is to contest all the 60 seats,” NPP state president WR Kharlukhi said on Sunday.
He, however, said the party is not averse to post-poll alliance.
The natural ally of BJP in Meghalaya should have been NPP which is also part of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.
Madhav had on Saturday said BJP was in touch with some political parties for pre-poll alliance but refused to further divulge the nature of talks and the parties with whom BJP was engaged in talks.
The party leader had also refused to reply to a question as to whether the party was negotiating with NPP for pre-poll alliance.
Madhav had also said in a situation where there is no agreement on pre-poll alliance, the party will go it alone in the polls.
Kharlukhi said depending on the response, the party will field maximum number of candidates.
Among the political parties, NPP has gained the most with five Congress legislators – Rowell Lyngdoh, Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang and Ngaitlang Dhar, and Comingone Ymbon. UDP MLA Remington Pyngrope is set to join the party.
Kharlukhi said these legislators may resign after the Assembly session or later to contest from NPP.
Ampati surprise
NPP had put up candidates in 23 seats out of the total 24 in Garo Hills keeping the decision on Ampati, the home constituency of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, pending.
Kharlukhi said the decision on Ampati will be made public at a later stage.
Besides Ampati, the chief minister is planning to contest from Songsak, the constituency currently represented by NPP legislator Nihim D Shira.
