Congress to face election as a united house: Lapang

SHILLONG, JAN 2: Ahead of the Assembly polls, Congress veteran leader and former chief minister DD Lapang today said the party now stands united especially after the resignation of seven of its MLAs.

“Now the Congress stands united after the others have left the party,” Dr Lapang told media persons.

Lapang, who was recently replaced as Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief said that the party has already identified alternative candidates who would contest against those MLAs who left it to join other parties.

Those who left the party include veteran leader of the party and former deputy chief minister Rowel Lyngdoh, four former ministers – Prestone Tynsong, Comingone Ymbon, AL Hek, and Sniawbhalang Dhar –Umroi MLA Ngaitlang Dhar and suspended member PN Syiem.

While five of them resigned and joined the National People’s Party (NPP), Syiem went to lead a newly floated party – the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) while Hek decided to return to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today at a public rally held here in the city.

However, Lapang said informed that in Mawsynram constituency, which was represented for two terms by the then MLA Pynshngain N Syiem, the party has nominated Himalaya Shangpliang a former bureaucrat.

He also stated that the party has identified a retired IAS officer, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh who will contest against Snaiwbhalang Dhar from Nartiang constituency.

From Umroi constituency George Lyngdoh son of former Chief Minister of the state EK Mawlong will give a tough fight to Ngaitlang Dhar and from Pynursla constituency which was represented by former senior cabinet minister Prestone Tynsong the party will put up Dr J Ryndong a child specialist.

The former MPCC chief also claimed that the fight in these constituencies will be “neck to neck”.

“We have high aspirations from these new faces,” Lapang said.

By Our Reporter