SHILLONG, JULY 25: A month after resigning as Ranikor legislator, former senior Congress leader Martin M Danggo today officially joined the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) and expressed confidence to retain the seat in the upcoming bye-election.
Danggo, a five-time legislator of Ranikor constituency, was formally welcomed by the NPP state president Dr WR Kharlukhi at a function held in the office of the party here on Wednesday.
He resigned as member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on June 21 following the state government’s decision to upgrade the Ranikor Administrative Unit into a full fledged civil sub-division, which was also inaugurated on July 10.
Speaking to reporters, Danggo said, “I am obliged to join the NPP and I will do my best to serve in whatever capacity that will be assigned to me by the party. I will also soon apply for ticket to contest the bye-election.”
Stating that his objective to join politics was to ensure Ranikor gets a civil sub-division, he said that the demand was a long pending aspiration of the people of the constituency since 2005 which successive state governments failed to fulfill.
Hailing the Conrad K Sangma-led MDA government, Danggo said, “I am grateful to the chief minister for his kindness and sympathetically granting a civil sub-division. This was possible because of the concern he has for Ranikor, which is one of the most backward constituencies.”
Asked why he had not decided to join the NPP before the Assembly elections, the former legislator however said that it was because that he always abide by the decision of his leaders and supporters.
“Earlier, they had asked me to remain in the Congress so I contested and won with a margin of 2002. Thereafter, the Civil Sub-Division Demand Committee again met the chief minister on May 25, who made positive assurance considering the genuineness of the demand,” he said.
He said that they never expected that the Ranikor civil sub-division will be created until the time that the chief minister Conrad K Sangma visited the constituency on June 12 and accordingly promised to upgrade the administrative unit into a civil sub-division.
“True to his (Conrad) promises, Ranikor civil sub-division was inaugurated on July 10. Therefore when such kind of blessing comes, it is my duty to show gratitude by joining the NPP, which is leading the government,” he added.
However, all eyes are on the Ranikor seat with the MDA partners – United Democratic Party (UDP) and People’s Democratic Front (PDF) – and the opposition Congress all set to put up candidates to give a tough fight to the undefeated veteran leader.
The UDP has decided to again field Pius Marwein, who was defeated by the Danggo in the February 27 Assembly polls earlier this year. On the other hand, the PDF is fielding the party’s chairman and former Mawsynram legislator Pynshngainlang N Syiem.
Expressing confidence that he would be able to retain the seat, Danggo said, “I don’t mind who fights against me because I have trusted leaders and supporters.” He said he welcome anybody to contest against him in the upcoming Ranikor by-poll.
By Our Reporter
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