SHILLONG: Most of the candidates who lost in the Assembly polls have blamed the use of money power as the main factor for the setback.
Speaking to media persons, UDP candidate from West Shillong Paul Lyngdoh alleged that as much as Rs 20 crore, besides muscle power, was used in the constituency to make him lose. He also said since the 2013 Assembly polls, he had worked hard in areas like Upper Mawprem but there were a few votes for him.
Alleging that a huge amount of money was pumped in just 10 days before the polls, Lyngdoh said it was time to revamp and rejuvenate the party even as he admitted that it could not organise itself in Garo Hills properly due to dearth of funds.
Lyngdoh lost to Congress’s Mohendro Rapsang.
Echoing similar views, his colleague in the party Jemino Mawthoh, who lost to Congress’s Charles Pyngrope, alleged that he lost the elections due to money power though he worked hard for the poor.
NPP candidate from Songsak Nihim Shira, who lost to Mukul Sangma, also blamed the Congress for his defeat saying huge money was pumped in ahead of the elections.