SHILLONG, Dec 3: The National People’s Party (NPP) on Saturday indicated a few more leaders may not be given tickets to contest the upcoming Assembly elections if the situation so demands.
The NPP also insisted it did not betray its three MLAs who quit after being denied tickets.
The three are Raksamgre MLA Benedic R Mark, Selsella MLA Ferlin CA Sangma and Phulbari legislator SG Esmatur Mominin. The first two are reportedly eyeing a BJP ticket while the third is likely to join the Trinamool Congress camp.
“There is no question of betrayal. We have to take tough decisions by looking at all aspects. We are not the only political party that does this or has to take decisions like these,” NPP supremo and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said.
“It was not easy for us not to give a ticket to somebody. But as the president of the party, I have certain responsibilities to ensure that we take the party forward the best possible way in the larger interest of the state,” he said, asserting there are no personal scores to settle with anyone.
Asked if more MLAs of his party will be denied tickets, Sangma said, “It will depend upon the prevailing situation. Let’s wait and see.”
Mominin may join Trinamool
With the national People’s Party naming former Speaker Abu Taher Mondal as its candidate for the Phulbari Assembly seat, there is a question mark on the political future sitting legislator SG Esmatur Mominin.
The seed to bring Mondal to the NPP fold might have been planted almost a year ago when GHADC member from Shyamnagar – Habibuz Zaman who quit the Congress to join the Trinamool Congress – voted in favour of the NPP-led coalition, saving it in the process, during the vote of confidence in the Council.
Zaman’s support for the NPP-led coalition led to speculation that it had been overseen by Mondal, who was instrumental in the former’s win during the MDC election.
Indications of the NPP moving away from its sitting MLA and gravitating towards Mondal started doing the rounds almost six months ago.
Mominon’s supporters began appearing at TMC programmes in the constituency, seemingly confident that the party would consider their leader for the Phulbari ticket.
The Meghalaya TMC is yet to make an official announcement in this regard. “He (Mominin) is their (TMC’s) best bet to win the seat. Being the current MLA, he will definitely pose a huge challenge to the more seasoned AT Mondal. Further you have to also understand that like Mondal, the sphere of influence of Mominin too pervades other constituencies including Rajabala and parts of Selsella. The TMC will definitely look to leverage that to their advantage,” said a resident of Phulbari.
As it appears, Phulbari is set for a straight contest between the NPP and the TMC with the Congress, BJP and independents aiming for an upset.
