SHILLONG, May 8: NPP national president and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday said the merging of the PDF has boosted the party and people in Sohiong are pinning their hopes on the NPP.
“The joining of the PDF has really boosted the NPP. We expect to win because the people of Sohiong feel they need not go with any other political party when the PDF has joined us,” he said.
The NPP is keen on increasing its tally in the 60-member House by winning the Sohiong seat. The Chief Minister is positive about the outcome.
“We are very positive because we have been getting a very good response and a lot of people are looking to the NPP,” he said.
“But again, elections are elections and we can only hope for the best,” he added.
Sangma further said: “We still have a few days left. We have to ensure that things are maintained and managed well.”
Sangma said it is too early for him to say if more leaders from other parties would join the NPP.
He neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of the HSPDP merging with the NPP. “Let’s see,” he said.
We have the edge: UDP
Apart from the sympathy for the late HDR Lyngdoh, the UDP is banking on the charisma of its candidate Synsharlang Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah and an effective campaign for clinching Sohiong.
“The strong organisation of the party at the grassroots level is also a factor,” UDP general secretary, Jemino Mawthoh said.
“We are confident of winning Sohiong. The UDP has got deep roots in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. People still love this grand old regional party. We just have to beat the drum (party symbol) louder,” he said.
Pointing out that the party won by-elections in Shella, Ranikor, and Mawsynram earlier, Mawthoh said: “We will win again.”
The last day of the campaigning on Monday saw the UDP and other parties organise massive rallies.
Promises, assurances, songs and dance filled the election air as leaders made their last-ditch attempt to woo the voters.
Most of the top leaders of all the parties were in Sohiong.
Both NPP and UDP held big rallies during the last week of campaign. The Congress, with its limited resources, held pocket meetings and undertook a door-to-door campaign.
Around 34,000 voters will cast their votes across 63 polling stations on May 10.
Assembly election in the constituency was adjourned due to the demise of UDP candidate HDR Lyngdoh on February 20.
