‘Party to comment only after written complaint by Deborah’

GUWAHATI/ SHILLONG: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Celestine Lyngdoh has declined to make any comment on the allegation by Deborah Marak and party workers that former chief minister Mukul Sangma had a “hand” in her defeat in the recently concluded Williamnagar Assembly election.
“I am the president of the party and unless she gives me what she has alleged in writing, it is difficult for me to comment. If only a written complaint is made only then I can say something,” Lyngdoh, who became the PCC president in January this year, told The Shillong Times on Thursday.
A three-time legislator who was almost synonymous with Williamnagar’s electoral politics, Marak had alleged that “as many as three senior leaders of the party were vigorously campaigning for Independent candidate Sengbath Marak during the Williamnagar elections”.
The Shillong Times tried to contact Sangma repeatedly but his phone was “not reachable”.
Also, Congress spokespersons Zenith Sangma and HM Shangpliang could not be contacted for comment from the party’s side despite repeated attempts.
Marak had alleged that newly-elected Congress MLA from Tikrikilla constituency Jimmy D Sangma along with East Garo Hills district Congress committee president Linderson A Sangma and former MDC Lahitson M Sangma campaigned for Independent candidate Sengbath Marak instead of backing her.
“We have records and details of Tikrikilla MLA Jimmy along with Linderson and Lahitson working against my candidature,” Marak had earlier told this newspaper.
She further said she would lodge a complaint with the party high command in New Delhi in this regard.
Meghalaya chief minister and NPP national president Conrad K Sangma had himself questioned the identity of the Congress candidate for Williamnagar and even accused Sangma of siding with Independent Sengbath Marak during campaigning.