SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma is optimistic that NPP’s “comfortable win” in the recently concluded Williamnagar election will have a positive impact on the party in the upcoming Ampati by-poll on May 28.
Speaking to media persons after the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected MLA Marcuise N Marak here on Monday, Sangma said, “The fact that the National People’s Party won by a comfortable margin in Williamnagar, clearly shows that people have faith in the MDA government and that they are looking for a change.”
He, however, was quick to add that every election is different and every constituency has its own challenges and “nothing can be taken for granted”.
On the reports that Congress candidate Deborah Marak did not get support from her party, Sangma termed it “unfortunate” and said it should be sorted out or the morale of workers as well as voters will be affected.
When asked if Mukul Sangma is losing his ground in Garo Hills, the chief minister refused to comment but added that “it is for the people to decide and it will be reflected in the results”.
“This is politics and people have reposed their faith on us and we will carry forward that faith,” the chief minister said.
On Ampati by-polls, Sangma said the party has received Clement Momin’s nomination to contest the seat.
“The NPP is also holding discussions with BJP over Ampati seat for necessary support… NPP has to respect the entity of each and every political party,” he added.
Reacting to queries on BJP-NPP relationship in view of the former’s decision to field a candidate in Ampati, Sangma 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 will convene a meeting in Shillong on Wednesday to discuss about strengthening the party in the state and the upcoming Assembly polls in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh and the meeting will also be attended by top leaders from other northeastern states.
On the other hand, Marak said he would like to ensure that youths of the constituency are not misguided and they don’t go the wrong way since the constituency in the past was affected by militancy.
He also said the infighting within the ruling camp had some factors in his comfortable win.
“When people saw their infighting, many people from rural areas came to us and supported me in the elections,” he added.
The newly elected legislator was administered the oath of office by the Deputy Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Timothy D Shira.
