Pressure ‘mounts’ on MDA govt with allies on ‘different track’

SHILLONG: Pressure on the NPP-led MDA government seems to be mounting with its coalition partners apparently on a different track for the upcoming Ranikor by-poll.
UDP, an ally in the MDA, is all set to contest the by-poll against MM Danggo who will contest the election as an NPP candidate, even as another coalition partner, PDF seeks opinions from parties for a common candidate.
It is also said that the HSPDP, which is an ally of UDP and is also supporting the government, will back the UDP candidate, which might leave the NPP candidate isolated in the by-poll.
There are also unconfirmed reports that Congress is willing to support the UDP candidate in Ranikor if UDP agrees to withdraw its support to the NPP-led MDA government.
However, top UDP leaders said they were not aware of any such move.
Tynsong downplays threat
With the media reports suggesting that Congress may support the UDP candidate for the Ranikor by poll, deputy chief minister and NPP leader Prestone Tynsong downplayed the speculation and said that NPP would win the bypoll.
He said Danggo, who resigned from the Congress, will join the party soon.
Tynsong also asserted that the MDA coalition will complete the full term.