By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 11: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) and Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) are rallying to revive the fortunes of the party in the state ahead of the district council elections, scheduled for February 21. The elections are being termed crucial for the Congress as it seeks to reestablish its footing following the defection of several senior leaders to rival parties.
MPCC chief Vincent H Pala, who plays a key role in this conquest, has expressed confidence in the party’s prospects. He believes that the shift in allegiance of some of the Congress MLAs and MDCs to other parties will not affect the grand-old party’s odds in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) elections. At the same time, the AICC has expressed confidence in forming the Executive Committee (EC) in both the KHADC and JHADC after the elections.
Pala, while speaking to reporters on Saturday, said the exit of party leaders has in one way given the Congress an opportunity to infuse young minds with huge potentials and good educational backgrounds. “One way, it is a blessing for the party since there are veteran political leaders who used to manipulate and were a stumbling block in the party’s growth,” Pala said.
According to him, the addition of young minds has given an opportunity to the party to grow faster with more confidence.
AICC M’laya in-charge optimistic about revival
Terming the upcoming district council elections as crucial for the party, AICC general secretary and Meghalaya in-charge, A Chellakumar, on Saturday, said he was optimistic about the Congress’s revival in Meghalaya.
Regarding the Congress’s support for the National People’s Party (NPP) in the KHADC, Chellakumar clarified that the decision was made to uphold and strengthen the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Earlier in the day, Chellakumar addressed Congress-selected candidates for the upcoming council polls during a meeting held at Congress Bhavan.
No feelers sent: AICC
The AICC has clarified that it has not extended any feelers to former leaders, including Opposition leader Mukul Sangma and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) state chief Charles Pyngrope, to rejoin the party.
The AICC Meghalaya in-charge A Chellakumar told reporters here that leaders who left the Congress are welcome to return if they choose to do so of their own accord. “Let them come forward with an open mind, and we shall see,” he said.
Chellakumar emphasised the party’s desire to strengthen itself by bringing back its former members for the benefit of the state and the nation. He also claimed that many individuals have already joined the party, with more waiting in line. “We are admitting them one by one, and you will hear about it in due course,” he said.
Meanwhile, MPCC chief Pala also confirmed that no feelers had been received from any former leaders. When asked about the possibility of Charles Pyngrope rejoining the Congress, Pala noted that there had been no communication from the AITC state chief on the matter.
“Even now, I occasionally meet Pyngrope for a cup of tea, but there has been no discussion about his return to the party,” Pala concluded.
Congress’s strength
Meanwhile, Pala said the Congress has already declared the names of 75% of its candidates.
“We have released the names of altogether 42 candidates for KHADC and JHADC polls. We are expected to release around 15 to 16 more names in the third list,” he said.
The third list is likely to be released by January 15 or 16.
Stating that 28 candidates are for the KHADC, Pala said there is a possibility that the Congress will not contest from the Laban-Mawprem constituency as the party has not received any application from anyone for ticket here.
Pala said he will have a meeting with the party leadership in Jaintia Hills on January 14. He said after a proper analysis, the party felt the need to have a blend of both old and new faces. “We selected the candidates based on merit and not because they are the relatives of somebody.
The selection of the candidates was also based on the recommendations of our blocks and district committees,” Pala said.
He said the Congress had sent senior leaders as observers when there were divergent opinions between the blocks and the district committees in constituencies such as Pynursla, Umroi and Jirang. “We took the decision on the allotment of party tickets based on the report of the observers in such constituencies,” Pala said.
Some Congress MLAs and MDCs had shifted allegiance to ruling National People’s Party (NPP). Pala said the Congress decided to support the NPP-led Executive Committee in the KHADC in the best interest of the council. “We took the decision as the Centre is finalising the proposed amendment to the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution,” he said.