SHILLONG: Shillong MP and Congress leader Vincent Pala has put to rest speculation that he could be toying with the idea of joining the NPP, and would rather have his “friends” in the ruling party join the grand old party.
Admitting that his friends in the ruling party have indeed asked him to consider joining the NPP, Pala recently told newspersons that he had no reason to leave the Congress.
One reason for not wishing to join NPP or regional parties is that they have little say in the national arena, he said. “One or two members from a party are of no use in Parliament,” he reasoned.
Speculation over Pala joining the NPP was triggered by his frequent interaction with leaders of the party and the bonhomie they seemed to share.
Pala said people should not misunderstand his companionship with NPP leaders since Conrad Sangma is his dear friend while many others have also been his friends right from the time when they were in Congress together.
Besides, he said he meets NPP leaders for various developmental work related to the people and the state.
“People should not misunderstand… for me, politics is on one side and friendship on the other, and it is my job to coordinate with them for the state,” he said. Stating that he has nothing to do with the NPP, he, however, wants NPP to join Congress.
Admitting that his old friends from Congress who have joined NPP always tell him to join their party, he, however, added that his parents, friends are from Congress and there is no reason for him to leave the party.
