Kharlukhi willing, Kharshiing sends consent letter
SHILLONG: The MDA will meet on Thursday to get the support of coalition partners for the candidate to be proposed by the NPP to contest the lone Rajya Sabha seat.
Sources said the NPP is likely to propose the name of state working president WR Kharlukhi.
In a new development, former Congress leader John Kharshiing has expressed his interest to contest the Rajya Sabha seat as an MDA nominee.
In a letter on ‘expression of interest’ addressed to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Kharshiing urged the MDA to nominate him to contest the Rajya Sabha seat.
“It would be an honour to represent the state of Meghalaya in the Rajya Sabha and I assure you that I will faithfully discharge my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability”, Kharshiing said.
The NPP state president, who was earlier not keen on contesting the Rajya Sabha election, has now asserted that if the party desires he would contest the seat.
He, however, informed that the party is yet to take a decision on the nominee.
According to sources, it has been agreed that among the MDA coalition partners, NPP will get to set up a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat but Kharlukhi said the agreement must be among the top leadership.
“Even in 2008 when I was offered the opportunity, I had declined and this time too, I did not want to be in the fray but after meeting with some of the leaders, I am convinced and open to the idea,” Kharlukhi said.
To a question that Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has also expressed his willingness to contest, Kharlukhi said, “As a party, we are on the same line. If the party names Prestone, he is ready to go and if they offer me the chance I am ready to go. We are loyal to our party and whatever the party decides, we will abide by it,” he added.
The election to the lone Rajya Sabha seat will be held on the temporary Meghalaya Legislative Assembly premises in Rilbong on March 26.
The term of the present Rajya Sabha member, Wansuk Syiem (Congress) ends on April 12.
The Congress is yet to take a decision regarding the candidate as the party is waiting for the nod from the AICC.