 was trying to. import candidates from other political parties by approaching the former Umroi MLA to be their candidate for the Shillong seat.){kind=link}
SHILLONG:
Opposition All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and former Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh, on October 25, said he would accept offer to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha election from Shillong only after consulting with stakeholders.
He was reacting to a recent statement by opposition Congress chief and Shillong MP Vincent H Pala that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) was trying to. import candidates from other political parties by approaching the former Umroi MLA to be their candidate for the Shillong seat.
“If such an offer comes, I have to consult close friends, family, leaders, strong supporters…it will depend on their suggestions and then collective decision would be there for any step forward,” Lyngdoh said over phone while adding “If Pala has recommended then we will see. If the sitting MP has found a much more favourable candidate then no problem.”
He, however, said as of now there has been no such approach by NPP.
To a question on whether he will quit the TMC, Lyngdoh, however, said, “That you will know in due course because the MP (election) has no relation with me being a member of the TMC. MP is totally a different ball game altogether because MP goes beyond party lines. The very fight or contest of being an MP goes beyond party lines as it is a prestigious seat that anybody has to represent.
“So before any discussion it will have to be beyond party lines as well.”
“But when it comes to TMC, we will have a discussion with our president and have a collective decision on it,” he added.
On AITC state president Charles Pyngrope projecting him as AITC candidate for the MP election, Lyngdoh said, “(That being) provided that the party agrees but as of now the party has not taken any decision. The thing is that it was his personal view if you recall his statement provided that the party feels that they should be putting up a candidate but as of now there has been no decision, no meeting on this.”
Earlier, NPP leader and deputy chief minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had informed that the NPP is likely to announce the MP candidate from Shillong by the end of this month. The former Mawsynram legislator Himalaya Shangpliang is one among the ticket aspirants.
Dhar had also maintained that the party is definitely looking for a new face and said that talks are also on with leaders from other political parties, who have expressed keen interest to contest from the NPP.