From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday exuded confidence that both Ranikor and South Tura seats will be won by the ruling MDA coalition headed by NPP.
Talking to The Shillong Times here, Conrad said he was “sure of victory” in both the seats and that the main opposition “can never regain the single largest party tag”.
The NPP national president also downplayed coalition partners’ move to go it alone in Ranikor by-poll by saying, “Ours is a post-poll alliance and each party has its own compulsion, support and ideology. Whoever wins, the kitty of the ruling coalition will increase not that of the Congress.”
Conrad believes that Martin M Danggo has a better chance of winning since he resigned over demand for civil sub-division, which was not fulfilled by the Congress.
Ranikor civil sub-division is likely to be inaugurated sometime next week, sources said. The civil sub-division will function from a temporary office till a separate building is constructed.
Speaking on Danggo’s future role, Conrad, who reached Delhi on Wednesday after holidaying in Europe, said the services of the five-time MLA “will be suitably utilised for the benefit of people”.
When his attention was drawn to the four by-polls in three months of the new government, Conrad said it was unavoidable. “But at the same time even during the brief period, the government, for the first time, had the longest budget session,” he pointed out.
Govt acted fast
Speaking on the violent incidents in Shillong which followed an altercation at Sweeper’s Lane, the chief minister said the government brought the situation under control in record time and fortunately there was no loss of life.
“My government took immediate steps and provided adequate police security round the clock. There were large scale provocations and some vested interest was inciting the violence but the government restrained itself and ensured that there was no loss of life,” he said.
Conrad said the incidents are neither communal nor ethnic as it made out to be. “The real dispute is over land and land rights… My government is aware of the sensitive nature of the grave issue and tackling the same with utmost caution,” he added.