Will Saleng Sangma get the Congress ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from Tura seat … Or will TMC get the ticket as part of their understanding being part of the INDIA Bloc?
Making a ‘U’ Turn, Meghalaya Congress on Tuesday said the INDIA Bloc is still intact and it is for the party’s high command in Delhi to decide on the seat-sharing.
The Congress legislature party leader, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said the state leadership of the party has recommended the two names for Shillong and Tura seat which was approved by the screening committee of All India Congress Committee (AICC), however, the final decision whether to put up the candidate or go for seat sharing will depend on the party high command.
“As far as Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee we have taken a decision to set up candidates in both the seats (Shillong and Tura) but it all depends on the All India Congress Committee (AICC) whatever decision they take we will abide by,” Lyngdoh said.
Amidst the report of disunity in the INDIA bloc as the talks on seat sharing is going on between the two major opposition parties Congress and Mamata Banerjee’s All India Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, report suggests that the TMC which is trying to establish its foot in Northeast has been demanding two seats in Assam and the Tura Lok Sabha seat in Meghalaya.
Asked if the INDIA Bloc alliance is intact, He said, “India bloc is not Meghalaya centric it’s at National level and it’s intact and Congress is part of this alliance.”
While mentioning about seat sharing, the CLP leader said, “It’s not upto us to decide on the seat sharing, the seat sharing has to be decided by I think there is a committee by all the opposition parties including Congress (INDIA Bloc) so we do not have much to say on seat sharing because this is not a state Assembly elections, this is a Lok Sabha elections this will be throughout the country. If AICC takes a decision (on seat sharing) we are bound to abide by the decision of the AICC.”
Earlier, the screening committee AICC approved the name of Congress legislator from Gambegre constituency, Saleng A Sangma as candidate for the Tura Parliamentary seat and Vincent H Pala for the Shillong seat, however, the final approval is yet to come from All India Congress Committee which is part of the INDIA bloc alliance.
Asked if there is any wave of Congress, he said, “I think the people because like I said this is not a state Assembly elections or local elections, this is a national election so the concern will be at the National level. The people of Meghalaya are wise enough to ensure to vote for a party which will take care of its national level also.”
He denied any anti-incumbency against Vincent Pala.
While mentioning that it is the National party who can take up the state issues to the parliament, the CLP leader said, “Like I said this is not a local election so not only local issues but National issues will be considered, eg we have so many law that are coming up that will put the mini skill population, the tribal population of Meghalaya in a harm’s way, so I think people are very wise because when it comes to issues to be taken up at the parliament only a National party can take up those issues.”
Lyngdoh further said it’s not development or governance the party is fighting for as the key focus this time is on democracy.
“….now it’s not the question of only development, or governance, it’s the question of democracy itself at stake, it’s the question of the constitution framed by founding fathers which has stood the test of time for 75 years. This will be in danger now,” he added.