SHILLONG: Following the outcome of the South Tura and Ranikor by-poll where both the NPP and UDP won a seat each, the alliance partners are now stressing on further strengthening the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) while the opposition Congress, even after losing the elections in both the constituencies , sounded happy because the fact party’s former leader MM Danggo had lost the election.
Speaking to media persons here after the announcement of the results, UDP senior leader, Paul Lyngdoh said that the win in Ranikor was another feather for the party, which would help validate UDP’s claim of being as the largest regional party in the state.
“ It is a win for the cause of regionalism,” he said while thanking the NPP for smoothly facilitating the transfer of the Ranikor seat from Congress to UDP since Ranikor was a Congress bastion and for the fact that UDP has returned to the constituency after two decades.
Lyngdoh also brushed aside any political ramifications in the state following the political developments saying the victory of Conrad Sangma has vindicated UDP’s choice of the CM.
He also said that the win for the MDA partners in both seats would further increased people’s expectation from the MDA Government and Government’s performance should match those expectations.
On the other hand, NPP State president, WR Kharlukhi said that since the MDA partners had won in both seats, it would only strengthen the alliance adding they would have to assess as what went wrong in Ranikor where NPP lost the elections despite fielding a veteran leader like MM Danggo, who left Congress to join the NPP
He also said that there was nothing wrong with the move of NPP to field Danggo as its candidate and he was happy for the fact that Congress’ position have come down to 20 from 21 MLAs in the state Assembly.
Congress leader, Fearless Warjri also defended the party over the loss in both the seats saying that South Tura constituency was last represented by the Congress in the year 1998 and in this election, the party has increased its vote share to 5000
Talking about Ranikor results, he said that people of the state were aware about their democratic rights and ideologies and people of Ranikor had given the right answer to the betrayal by MM Danggo and there was no reason for Congress to be unhappy.