Congress to field candidate, rules out truck with UDP

SHILLONG: Despite media reports that Congress may support the UDP candidate in the upcoming Ranikor bypoll, the party has put to rest all speculations and instead asserted it would field its own candidate.
Congress spokesperson Zenith Sangma said according to norm, the party will have to put up a candidate.
“The party had put up candidates in all the 60 seats for the Assembly polls and the by- poll is no exception,” Sangma said.
There were reports that Congress’ Ranikor circle offered support to UDP in the bypoll, provided the regional party withdraws support to the NPP-led MDA coalition government.
However, Zenith said the final decision regarding the selection of candidate is up to the party leadership.
“We have a lot of candidates. But a final decision will be taken by the party leadership,” he said.
On the varied stand taken by the coalition partners in the MDA for the Ranikor bypoll, Zenith said, “Action speaks louder than words”, obliquely pointing out that all’s not well with the alliance.
Commenting on the common candidate as proposed by PDF leader and KHADC chief executive member, PN Syiem, Zenith said it might be from the ruling side as the Congress has no intention to put up any consensus candidate. He also expressed doubt whether the MDA government would be able to complete its full term as “already there are differences among the coalition partners over Ranikor bypoll.”