SHILLONG: Congress MP Vincent Pala has blamed defection for the party’s poor show in the election to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
Pala told reporters on Monday that party bigwigs in Jaintia Hills switched sides before the general elections last year and grooming a potential leader takes about three to four years
Comingone Ymbon, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Lahkmen Rymbui and Ngaitlang Dhar joined NPP before the Assembly polls.
“The defection of Congress leaders is the reason. People have faith in the Congress but it is the leaders who leave the party. It happens in other constituencies and it is a drawback but it is a temporary solution,” said Pala.
However, he maintained that the Congress does not want to field candidates who secure 200-300 votes like other parties.
Even as defection has cost the Congress in Jaintia Hills, the defection of DD Lapang did not make much of an impact, Pala pointed out by saying the Nongpoh seat went to the party.
He sounded confident when he said West Khasi Hills, which was the stronghold of the HSPDP, went to the Congress.
“We have come back in West Khasi Hills, we are hopeful in Jaintia Hills also,” he said.
Pointing out that the seats in the District headquarters such as Nongpoh, Mawkyrwat, Nongstoin was bagged by the Congress, Pala said, “It shows that people still have faith in the Congress, we are analysing our vote share.”
