Meghalaya | GHADC polls: BJP says no to Congress, likely to support NPP

Speaking to reporters in Shillong, Hek said that the party leadership would have to sit and discuss the matter with the two winning candidates – Bernard Marak from Tura and Pramod Koch from Dalu, before taking any decision.  
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By Ibankyntiew Mawrie & Daiaphira Kharsati

SHILLONG: 

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and cabinet minister AL Hek on Thursday asserted that the party is likely to support the National People's Party (NPP) over Congress in staking claim to form the Executive Committee (EC), after results were finalised for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).

Speaking to reporters in Shillong, Hek said that the party leadership would have to sit and discuss the matter with the two winning candidates – Bernard Marak from Tura and Pramod Koch from Dalu, before taking any decision. 

Congratulating the winning candidates, Hek said, “We were expecting three to four seats, but they all fared well. We had done an aggressive campaign for GHADC polls this time.”

Hek, whose party is also in coalition with the NPP-led state government, added that party national vice president in-charge of Meghalaya, M Chuba Ao, was also on his way to Tura from Nagaland to discuss the matter of coalition in the GHADC.

In terms of numbers, however, Congress secured the highest number of seats in the elections, bagging 12 seats compared to the seven seats they won previously in 2015.

The National People’s Party (NPP) tailgated the Congress with a total tally of 11 seats, one better compared to the previous election. 

However in Tura, the home turf of the chief minister and national president of NPP, Conrad K Sangma, was clinched away by BJP candidate and state party vice president, Bernard N Marak. 

Commenting on the current political scenario following the declaration of the GHADC results, Hek said it is a clear indication that the BJP has the potential to secure more seats from Garo Hills ahead of the 2023 state assembly elections.
 
“The BJP will win not less than seven to eight seats in the 2023 assembly elections from Garo Hills,” he asserted. 

CONGRESS MDCs WILL NOT SUCCUMB TO HORSE TRADING: SHANGPLIANG

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson HM Shangpliang said that the party MDCs would not succumb to any possible horse-trading.

“We cannot comment on what will happen but, our MDCs are strongly committed to the party and will not succumb to pressure. They will not merge with other parties. They will remain with the Congress and it is very clear,” Shangpliang told TNT-The Northeast Today on Thursday. 

Lauding the party workers for ensuring victory in 12 seats, the Congress leader said, “Our party workers have worked hard. Although we could have gotten more than 12 seats, we are happy with the hard work of the Garo Hills workers. We are looking forward to forming the EC and how best we can combine.”

ALSO READ: Meghalaya | GHADC polls results 2021: Here's the complete list of winners