Meghalaya AITC likely to field George for Low Sabha seat

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Aug 30: Opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) is likely to field former Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh as its candidate for the Shillong parliamentary seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls to be held next year.

Speaking to media persons today, AITC state president Charles Pyngrope informed that his party has decided to contest from both Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats.

“For Shillong region, it is my personal opinion but it will depend on the entire party’s hierarchy, I feel George Lyngdoh will be a very good candidate,” said Pyngrope, who is the lone AITC legislator from Khasi-Jaintia Hills region.

He however added, “From Garo Hills, I leave it to the wisdom of the parliamentary party leader Dr Mukul Sangma to take the final call.”

Stating that he is yet to discuss the matter with the party high command, the Nongthymmai legislator said, “In fact I had spoken to the general secretary in-charge Manas Ranjan Bhunia this morning asking him for a meeting and perhaps either he will come or I will go to Kolkata and finalise the modalities on how we go about it (preparation for the LS polls).”

He said that the party will also have to agree on certain issues before giving a go ahead as it already has candidates for the upcoming elections.

Commenting on his former party colleague and now BJP leader and former MLA of Mawsynram Himalaya Shangpliang to join the ruling NPP ahead of the LS polls, Pyngrope said, “He (Shangpliang) is free to go to any political party that he desires. There is no constitutional barrier that can stop him from doing so. Therefore, if he feels that he wants to go and join the NPP then it is his prerogative.

The NPP will have to fight the parliamentary seats so if they are looking at Himalaya to be the candidate I find there is nothing wrong in that.”