TMC nudges regional parties for post-poll ties

SHILLONG, Jan 24: Inevitability of a fractured mandate has driven Trinamool Congress to reach out to “like-minded” political parties for forging a post-poll alliance to keep NPP and BJP at bay.
Confirming this TMC vice-president George B Lyngdoh here on Tuesday did not name any party. While responding to unconfirmed reports on the TMC and the UDP reaching a tacit deal for a post-poll alliance, he neither confirmed nor denied.
“We have been reaching out (to other political parties) since May 2022 for throwing out the inept government of NPP and BJP and bringing back hope for Meghalaya,” he disclosed.
On Conrad K Sangma’s statement that the TMC candidates were likely to join other political parties post-polls, Lyngdoh ruled out such a possibility unless “they (NPP and BJP) use unscrupulous means” to retain power.
But such speculations are expected until the results are out, he said.
UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh refused to comment beyond maintaining “it is an issue to be discussed after we cross the bridge”.
TMC parliamentary party leader Mukul Sangma had provided fodder for the speculation mills when he appealed to the regional partners of the NPP-led coalition to be part of his party’s mission for Meghalaya.
“Having seen what has happened in the last five years, it is time for the leaders of the political parties that are part of the ruling coalition to insulate themselves from people with self-centred agendas,” he said while addressing a gathering during the release of the party manifesto here on Tuesday.
According to Sangma, there is a hunger for change because the people across the state understand how they (regional parties) are all equally responsible for everything afflicting the state.
He claimed that the TMC is the only alternative political party to be able to respond to the needs of the people and fulfil their aspirations, especially to enable the youth to realise their dreams.
Sangma touched upon the 10 pledges of the party. “I would like to tell our friends from other political parties to join hands since we can show how promises are fulfilled. That we have been able to capture the imagination of the people must have taken them by surprise,” he said.