Shillong, Sept 15: Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP National president Conrad Sangma is yet to open his cards on who would be the party candidate from Shillong Lok Sabha seat, a constituency where party performed miserably in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
As it is speculated that HM Shangpliang who defected from BJP and joined NPP recently may get the party ticket, Conrad Sangma on Friday did not gave a commitment if Shangpliang would be the party candidate from Shillong.
“ We have started our exercise and party is screening a large number of candidates and we will give appropriate opportunity to individuals who would like to contest from party ticket,” Sangma said while adding that the party will choose the candidate based on winnability factor
Asked about the idea of a common candidate for MDA, Sangma said that there is a desire for common candidate but each and every political party wants their candidate to be there so that their party can grow
“There is nothing wrong as worker of all parties would want their party to grow and contest election,” he said
Asked if Shangpliang would be given the ticket, the Chief Minister said that the party tells everyone before anyone joining the party that their joining has to be without any conditions and if any one would like to apply, they can apply
When asked about Tura Lok Sabha seat, he said that the same process is there even for Tura seat and there is a screening committee
“ There is of course certain condition for sitting and incumbent and there is a full committee which processes the entire ticketing,” he said
On being asked if James Sangma would be party candidate from Tura, he said that different individuals can apply for ticket and the process is same for all.