By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 7: Senior National People’s Party (NPP) leader and former minister James P.K. Sangma on Saturday said he is ready to represent Meghalaya in the Rajya Sabha if the party nominates him.
The tenure of Meghalaya’s lone Rajya Sabha member Wanwei Roy Kharlukhi, also of the NPP, will expire on June 21. There are speculations that James is among the frontrunners for the seat.
He, however, declined to speculate, saying that the Rajya Sabha elections are still three to four months away. He said that the NPP will take the final call, adding that he is busy working towards reorganising the party.
Kharlukhi has already indicated that he will not seek a second term, saying that he wishes to retire from active parliamentary politics and make way for younger leaders. This has fuelled speculations that either James or former Tura MP and senior NPP leader Agatha K Sangma could be considered for the seat.
Meanwhile, James also stated that the NPP has not yet held any discussion on fielding a candidate for the by-election to the Shillong Lok Sabha seat. It fell vacant following the demise of sitting MP Ricky AJ Syngkon last month.
The VPP has proposed its spokesperson, Batskhem Myrboh, as its candidate. The NPP and the BJP have indicated they will also contest.
GHADC polls
James exuded confidence that the NPP-led coalition will retain power in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) despite anti-incumbency. The council will go to polls on April 10.
“In terms of how we perceive, and since the NPP has led the EC (Executive Committee) for a considerable time, there is anti-incumbency,” he said.
He, however, added that the NPP leadership in the GHADC managed to resolve various issues and problems due to which the party is getting a positive response from people of Garo Hills.
