SHILLONG:
NPP spokesperson and cabinet minister Marcuise N Marak, on November 8, said there is absolutely no division among the leaders of the party as far as the selection of candidate for the Shillong parliamentary seat is concerned.
“It is a political party. It is a combination of different leaders so obviously there will be argument, opinions. We are a party which considers unanimous and for unanimous we need to have different opinions. That is why discussions are on. Once we (are done), we will be deciding unanimously. There is no division as such,” Marak told reporters.
He said a committee will recommend the names of candidates to the party high command. “The party high command will decide as per information that will be available that whoever has the higherside of winning. We will take a call on that basis.”
His statement came in the wake of reports alleging division among the party leaders after the deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar wanted the party to allot a ticket to his nephew and former Mawhati legislator Dasakhiat Lamare.
Sources said that some of the party leaders were not happy with the proposal from the Dhar group.
Marak however said he was not aware of such a proposal and that he needs to update himself before speaking on the matter.
“We don’t know exactly but there are few (candidates). Himalaya Shangpliang (former Mawsynram MLA) is there. Dasakhiat Lamare is totally new for me. Let us see, the party will be taking a call. Whenever the party takes a call it will be intimated to you,” he said.
The NPP leader also said that he is also not aware if former Umroi MLA will be joining the party.
To a question, Marak said that there is no pressure on the party.
“Decision has not been taken so there is no question of confusion. We will be selecting the best candidate who will be accepted by the party. There is no pressure (on the party),” he said while adding “We have a new state president and he is also taking some time and then he will be constituting his own committee members so once that is done we will be taking a call for the decision of the candidates very soon.”
Further, Marak said it is healthy to see that everyone is keen to contest and to represent the state in Delhi but
