By our special correspondent
Shillong: The BJP has decided to support the Nationalist Poeples’ Party (NPP) candidate, Conrad Sangma (son of late PA Sangma) to the Tura by-poll slated for May 16, next. Sangma’s is taking on Dikkanchi D Shira, wife of chief minister Mukul Sangma.
Talking to media persons, Shibun Lyngdoh the Meghalaya State BJP President says that this time the BJP wants all non-Congress parties to come together and fight the Congress. “Instead of fragmenting the non-Congress votes we have decided to support the NPP candidate, especially since the NPP is part of the ruling NDA.” Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile speaking to this correspondent, this morning, Conrad Sangma agrees that the fight will be tough since the Congress party which is in power in Meghalaya will pull all the stops to see that their candidate wins. “The Congress has 14 MLAs and others who are supporting the Govt and also 7 Members of the District Council who will also use their clout to get the CM’s wife elected but I am hopeful that people of Garo Hills will use their reason this time while voting,” Conrad observed, adding that he has to reach out to 6.30 lakh voters.
“We would need to have a campaign strategy in place to see that we reach out especially to the rural areas which are beyond the reach of any media. They would need to be convinced to vote for the right candidate, ” Sangma said.
Attempts to contact Ms Dikkanchi D Shira to get her views of the election prospects failed as she is camping in remote areas of Garo Hills.