SHILLONG: Unlike in neighbouring Assam, the absence of any pre-poll alliance of major non-Congress parties in many constituencies may eventually affect their prospects in the Assembly polls.
While the common enemy of all the political parties is the ruling Congress, pre-poll alliance is limited to UDP-HSPDP and GNC.
Besides, BJP, NPP, the newly formed PDF and NCP are fighting against each other in a majority of the constituencies.
While the Congress has fielded candidates in all the 60 constituencies (polls will be in 59 of them minus Williamnagar), NPP has put up 52 nominees and BJP 47.
In Assam, seat adjustments among the non-Congress parties had paid rich dividends as the move had resulted in the dethroning of the Congress-led government in the state.
A UDP leader said the BJP had approached the party in the past, but the UDP had decided not to go for any alliance with the saffron party.
Though the NPP is supporting the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, both parties have put up candidates against each other in many constituencies contrary to the allegation, voiced by Congress leaders, that the NPP shares a secret understanding with the BJP.
A case in point is South Tura where NPP’s Agatha Sangma is engaged in a direct fight with BJP’s Billykid Sangma.
In some constituencies, the fight among NPP, BJP, UDP, NCP and PDF can spoil their chances which, in the end, may turn out to be advantageous for the Congress.
