By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With less than year’s time left for the battle of ballots to constitute the ninth Legislative Assembly in the state, the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has decided to allot tickets to all the sitting MLAs.
According to sources close to Congress, the MPCC took this decision in a meeting held recently.
When asked about it, the MPCC president DD Lapang on Wednesday said there is noting unusual in allotting tickets to sitting MLAs.
“It is a usual procedure. Since they have a better winnability chance so they are our first choice,” Lapang said.
However, the party high command will take the final call on this issue.
Almost all the political parties in Meghalaya have sounded the poll bugle.
From the ruling Congress, which is leading the MUA government, to the Opposition NCP, and from the United Democratic Party (UDP) to the BJP and the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP), all are gearing up for the elections in February-March 2013.
While parties like the HSPDP and the BJP are not expected to field candidates in all the 60 constituencies in view of their limited sway over the electorate beyond certain areas, the Congress, UDP and NCP are working overtime to ensure “winnable” candidates in the constituencies. Some of them including NCP have already announced names of a few candidates. The ruling Congress, however, is yet to announce any name. Lapang recently exuded confidence the Congress under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma would secure absolute majority in 2013 elections. “There has been a marked improvement in Congress’ success graph,” Lapang had said. In 2008, the party won 25 seats, a jump from 16 seats in the 2003 elections.
