Only contesting from South Tura, declares Conrad

SHILLONG, Dec 2: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said that he will not be contesting from two seats.
“I am contesting only from South Tura constituency and I am very clear on this. I have full faith in my constituency since I have worked very hard in the constituency,” Conrad said.
He further stated that there’s no question of him leaving his constituency and contesting polls from somewhere else.
“I have not decided of contesting from two constituencies and even, the party has not decided anything yet as well,” the CM said.
Stating that they will see how the situation unfolds, he, however, said his primary constituency is South Tura.
“As of now, and at the moment, I intend to contest and I will be contesting from South Tura,” he said.
On the decision of party MLAs from Raksamgre and Selsella constituencies, Benedic R Marak and Ferlin CA Sangma to resign and join the BJP, he said that the decision of the two MLAs to leave the party was more or less mutual. “The decision was taken after the party had made a detailed study at its own level in regard to their current positions in the respective constituencies. They have decided to go to another political party which is fine and I have nothing to say against them,” Conrad, who is also the NPP national president, said.
Stating that NPP has candidates ready in the two constituencies, he said they will do their best to ensure victory.
When asked if the desertion of the two MLAs will have an impact on the NPP, he said that there will be no impact since their positions were not strong, as per the party’s assessment.
“We have carried out the exercise on some of the MLAs to find out about their prospects. Therefore, it was mutual understanding for them to leave the party,” Sangma said.
According to the CM, it is not a setback as he termed it a part of politics, while adding that they knew the MLAs would leave about 3-4 months back.