SHILLONG: Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma has sounded optimism that the comfortable win for the NPP in the recently concluded Williamnagar Assembly Constituency would have positive impact for the party in the upcoming Ampati by-poll scheduled to be held later this month.
Speaking to media persons after the swearing-in ceremony of the newly- elected MLA, Marcuise N Marak here on Monday, Conrad Sangma said, “The fact that the National People’s Party won by a comfortable margin in Williamnagar, clearly shows that the people have faith in the MDA government and that they are looking for a change.”
He, however, maintained every election was different and every constituency was different with their own challenges and hence nothing could be taken for granted.
On the reports that the Congress candidate, Deborah Marak did not get much support from her party itself, Sangma said that it was unfortunate and they should sort out the issues
“When situation is like this, the moral of the workers will be affected and the confidence of the voters will be demoralized,” he said
When asked if the former Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma was losing his ground in Garo Hills, the Chief Minister refused to comment anything on the matter but added that it was for the people to decide and it would be reflected in the results
“This is politics and people have reposed their faith on us and we will carry forward that faith,” he said
On Ampati by-polls, Sangma said that the party had received one request for nomination of Clement Momin to contest the seat and the matter would be discussed in a day or two.
Sangma said the NPP was also holding discussions with the BJP over Ampati by- polls for necessary support but added that the NPP had to respect the entity of each and every political party.
Reacting to queries on BJP-NPP relationship in view of the decision made by the former to field a candidate in Ampati, Conrad said “We should not mix governance and politics. We have made it very clear from the beginning that party politics has nothing to do with any aspect of governance.”
The party would also convene a meeting in Shillong on Wednesday to discuss about the strengthening of the party in the state and the upcoming Assembly polls in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and the meeting would also be attended by top leaders of the party from other North East states.