Cong not worried of ILP impact during elections

SHILLONG, JAN 8: The state Congress feels that the Congress led MUA II coalition government’s refusal to introduce the Inner Liner Permit (ILP) in the state will not have a negative impact on the party during the upcoming Lok Sabha and the district councils elections in Meghalaya.

The state ngos have been demanding the implementation of the ILP in the state to counter illegal migration into the state, but the Mukul Sangma led Congress coalition government has rejected the idea and instead suggested other mechanism to check influx.

With the Lok Sabha and district council elections round the corner, observers feel that the Congress stand on the ILP might cost the party votes and the elections.

However Meghalaya social welfare minister who is also the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee working president Deborah Marak  said that the non Congress parties will always look to rake up issues against the ruling but party but felt it will not affect the fortune of the party in the elections. She said the Congress will respond to such issues raised by the opposition effectively.

Marak is confident that the party would sail through both the Lok Sabha as well as the district council elections comfortably as Meghalaya has seen development  during the four years of Congress rule in the state.

Marak, however, asked the party workers not to be complacent and over confident and but work for the party tirelessly so that it can cruise through both the elections comfortably.

The state Congress has forwarded the names of the aspirants for the Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha seats to the All India Congress Committee, who will accordingly give its approval. – By Our Reporter