SHILLONG: The NPP is looking to contest between 51 and 53 seats in next month’s Assembly elections and bank on candidates who can give a good fight.
Speaking to media persons after the public rally, NPP national president, Conrad Sangma said the entry of eight legislators into NPP indicated that the party would be an alternative in the state as people want a change.
“We will be the single largest party and we are also trying to get absolute majority,” Sangma told reporters here on Thursday.
Asked about the chief ministerial candidate, he said the elected MLAs would collectively decide on it. He affirmed that the party leaders would decide in a positive manner.
Sangma reiterated that the chief minister would be elected from the region which gets the most number of seats in the elections.
On the other hand, former Congress leader who joined NPP on Thursday, Prestone Tynsong said, more MLAs are expected to join NPP. “The party will accept them if they are willing to join NPP,” he said.
Asked why he did not make a hue and cry earlier against the chief minister for holding as many as 18 departments, Tynsong said they had lodged a complaint with the AICC at least five or six times.
He also defended his decision of not resigning from the Cabinet saying, “We tried to change the leadership in the party till 2016 and were hoping that the AICC would take some action, but it never happened.”
Asked if he is vying for the chief ministerial post, Tynsong said, “Let us first cross the bridge.”
He also felt that the decision of seven MLAs to leave Congress was a big blow for the party. Tynsong denied allegations that they were opportunists while claiming that they were in politics to serve the state.
Earlier, NPP also paraded 50 of its candidates contesting the next month’s polls.
The party so far has not selected the candidates from constituencies such as Khliehriat, Mawlai, East Shillong, West Shillong, Mylliem, Sohiong, Mawphlang, Sohra and Ampati.
