Pala wishes to contest 2023 polls

SHILLONG, April 25: Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Vincent H. Pala admitted that he is keen on contesting the upcoming 2023 Assembly polls in view of the exodus of party leaders.
“I feel I should contest as so many leaders have left the party and a few others are about to leave. We need to utilise whatever resources we have in order to improve the party’s position,” he told reporters on Monday.
He said most of the members of the Sutnga-Saipung Block Congress Committee have asked him to contest the state polls if they fail to find a suitable candidate.
“The meeting of the BCC is scheduled to be held on May 3. The decision on whether I should contest may be taken at this meeting,” Pala said.
He said he has already asked the party’s central leadership whether he should contest. “The party high command will decide on it,” he said.
The MPCC chief said the Block Congress Committees and District Congress Committees should recommend the names of the candidates to the MPCC by September.
He also said the party has identified the candidates for at least 40 constituencies. “We are still screening the candidates in some of the constituencies,” he added.
According to Pala, 90% of the candidates know that they are going to contest the election and they are already working on the ground. But their names will be announced at the last minute to offset rebellion in constituencies where there are two or three ticket aspirants.
He also said the party high command will shortlist the official candidates in the 60 Assembly constituencies.
Some of the candidates could be senior government officials planning to take voluntary retirement to join the party ahead of the polls. Many leaders of other parties are also keen on crossing over, Pala claimed.
“We expect everyone to join the party by September or October,” he said.