Assembly polls: Cong to contest all 60 seats

SHILLONG, Nov 14: The Congress will contest all 60 seats in next year’s Assembly elections in the state, Pradesh Congress Committee chief Vincent Pala said on Monday.
Fifty-seven candidates are said to be ready for the polls.
Pala refused to comment on post-poll alliance with either the National People’s Party or the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He said such alliances would depend on both sides.
The Congress, which had emerged as the single largest party in the 2013 and 2018 polls, is today a shadow of its glorious past.
Twelve of its MLAs had jumped ship in November last year to be with the TMC. The remaining five — all of them suspended — have more or less ditched the party. They are likely to join other parties and contest the polls.
Pala, who is also the Shillong MP, rubbished speculations that many in the Congress are leaving the party. He said on the contrary, many are joining the party in Pynursla, Mawkynrew and West Khasi Hills.
He said the Congress would not like to expose the leaders joining the party as political parties which are without candidates in many constituencies will attempt to “buy” them.
On allegation that the Congress is silent on issues plaguing the state, Pala said the party raised several issues such as the Gaming Act, illegal coal mining and illegal functioning of check gates.
He slammed the government over the poor condition of the national highways.