Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Vincent H Pala on November 14 said that the party is planning to contest from all the 60 seats in the 2023 Assembly polls.
Talking to reporters, he said that the party has so far identified candidates in 57 seats.
The MPCC president, who is also the Shillong Lok Sabha MP, said that he will contest from Sutnga-Saipung.
Asked if resignations of its leaders is the Congress’ biggest disadvantage going, the MPCC chief said that it was unfortunate but many are also joining the party.
Pala said that a strong candidate like Nehru Suting will be contesting against the National People’s Party candidate and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong.
He said that other parties do not have “proper” candidates and therefore are trying to “buy” individuals.
“Whoever will be projected they are being bought or purchased and therefore we are reluctant to expose our people who have joined us,” he said.
Asked if the party will ally with the TMC or the NPP, he said that the party will cross the bridge when it comes to it.
“That does not depend on me at all, it also depends on other parties and friends who will be winning. The legislators at that time will decide and not me alone. It will depend on the circumstances at that time,” Pala said.
MDA FAILURE
Taking on the MDA government, he said it was responsible for the state’s decline in sectors like sports and in road connectivity.
“If you are travelling on a highway you don’t feel like you are driving on one,” Pala said.
He was also concerned over the high incidence of drug abuse in the state.
“We don’t have de-addiction centres so that will be one of our issues,” the MPCC president said.
He said the party does not take up silly issues.
Pala also pointed out that his party took up the issue of the Gambling Act and drugs, illegal mining and transportation of coal and setting up of toll gates on the national highway.
According to him, after the Congress took up the issues like the menace of drugs and toll gates, the government started taking action.
“It is not that we are keeping silent but we don’t talk nonsense, we talk what is required,” he said.
Appreciating the Trinamool Congress for raising certain issues, Pala said that the party with veterans like Mukul Sangma and Charles Pyngrope is definitely taking up relevant issues.
He also said that the Congress will not be very active in social media at present but it will put up a team at the right time.
Pala said that the party is training individuals for its social media team.