SHILLONG: The Nationalist Congress (NCP) is receiving “overwhelming” response from the public and within the political fraternity and this has prompted the party to shun pre-poll alliance.
However, the party will choose its candidates for the 2018 Assembly elections after thorough scrutiny and will not give tickets to anyone knocking on its door, said the party’s Meghalaya chief Sanbor Shullai.
“NCP is a national party and its central election committee will carefully examine (the party aspirants). We will not allot party ticket to every Tom, Dick and Harry,” Shullai told media persons on Tuesday.
The South Shillong MLA said the party might not contest from all constituencies but will field 40-45 candidates.
“In the last election, we had 1-2 candidates who have secured 200-300 votes so we have discussed in the district and block level to scrutinise the best and winnable candidates,” he added.
The party will start distributing tickets from October 10 and the last date is November 30.
NCP is also hoping that prominent leaders from other parties will better its chances in 2018.
“From the overwhelming response we are getting… we are not going for pre-poll alliance with anyone. There is a lot of enthusiasm among women, youth and many leaders are joining us, former MLAs and senior leaders from prominent parties are joining us,” said NCP national secretary and spokesperson Narendra Verma, who did not rule out the possibility of post-poll alliance.
When asked to name the senior state leaders who have joined NCP, Verma said it would be revealed at the right time.
When asked about Marthon Sangma leaving NCP, Verma said, “This is the beauty of democracy. You cannot force anyone and it is a common phenomenon and whenever any election comes, whether local or assembly elections, or Lok Sabha elections, shifting of party leaders is a common phenomenon.”
Echoing Verma, Shullai said, “You have seen the scenario in Meghalaya since 1972. There is no permanent friend and no permanent enemy.”
Saleng Sangma said earlier there were speculations that Shullai would leave the party and join BJP but “he is here”, and pointed at the MLA.
Patel visit
NCP will organise a state convention at Tura on October 21 in which Praful Patel, general secretary of NCP, will be present.
Verma said NCP general secretary Tariq Anwar and Supriya Sule will visit Meghalaya and the state unit will chalk out the programme.
According to Verma, the Mahila or the youth front is gearing up for the elections. “The party has started the election process and forms are available at the party office. NCP is working hard under the leadership of Shullai and Sangma,” he said.
He added that people who aspire to take the party ticket can approach the state party president.
