Shillong, Dec 3: Former Assembly Speaker AT Mondal from the Congress will be the official candidate of the NPP from Phulbari constituency, which is currently represented by Esmatur Mominin of the NPP.
This was announced by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma after Mondal joined the party, on Saturday.
“As the national president, I declare that AT Mondal will be the candidate of the NPP from Phulbari constituency in the coming elections. Let there be no doubt about this,” Conrad said.
The three-time ex-legislator of Phulbari recently quit the Congress along with his supporters.
He said the impact of Mondal’s joining will be felt in the entire plains.
“It is not just the Phulbari constituency but constituencies adjacent to Phulbari. And wherever we have significant Muslim population and other tribes and other religious groups, I am sure that with the entry of AT Mondal the confidence level of these different groups in different parts of the state will definitely go up and the impact will be felt throughout the plain belt, throughout Garo Hills and throughout the state”, Conrad said.
Mondal in his speech said the reason for him finally deciding to choose NPP is for stability.
“Considering my personal experience in politics from 1998, stability is the major factor for the overall development of the state,” he said.
Mondal urged the chief minister to consider giving a civil sub-division for Phulbari in 2023.
“I would like to get a promise that in future if God bless us we will have the same formation if Conrad K Sangma leads the government. Definitely a sub-division will have to be given in our locality also as people have to travel a long distance,” he said.
Also present during the joining programme were State Working President Don Kupar War, Working President of Phulbari Constituency Albistone A. Sangma, East Khasi Hills District President Jied Sing Kurbah, NPYF State Youth President Kitborlang Nongrem, and State Secretary Bajop Pyngrope.
