NPP banks on MDA’s common agenda

SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) is banking on the common minimum programme of the alliance government for the Ampati by-poll on May 28.
The draft common minimum programme has been prepared and is with the government for approval.
Besides, in the last two months in office, the NPP-led government has worked hard to establish a positive image. Among its achievements are clearance of dues of deficit teachers and the Centre’s assurance on various issues, including coal mining, following a series of meetings between Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Union ministers.
The by-poll to Ampati seat, which is only two weeks away, has become a battle of pride between Mukul Sangma and Conrad Sangma with the Congress and NPP giving their best to win people’s mandate.
Reiterating that Ampati will a jewel in the party’s crown, NPP president WR Kharlukhi said NPP’s agenda is the same as the common minimum programme of the alliance.
The Congress, on the other hand, is confident of its past performance in South West Garo Hills district.
Congress’s John F Kharshiing said the party is contesting the by-election on its strong foundation in Ampati constituency since former chief minister Mukul Sangma has done a lot for the district. He also claimed that party workers have a strong network in the constituency.
The senior leader said in the Assembly polls, BJP gave its best efforts but Mukul won by a margin of over 8,000 votes.
Both the parties have also lined up star campaigners, which include central leaders too. Kharlukhi said the chief minister will visit Ampati “in a day or two”.
Top Congress leaders like CP Joshi, Vijayalaxmi Sadho, Celestine Lyngdoh and Mukul Sangma, among others, will campaign for Miani D Shira, Mukul’s daughter.
BJP, which is not contesting the polls, has submitted the names of its star campaigners for boosting the morale of NPP’s Clement Momin, who is the MDA candidate The constituency is set to witness a triangular fight among NPP’s Clement G Momin, Congress’s Miani D Shira and independent candidate Subhankar Koch.