Shillong, Nov 22: The NPP wanted all the MDA partners and other political parties to support its official candidates-Agatha Sangma (Tura) and Ampareen Lyngdoh (Shillong) for the Lok Sabha polls.
“Since we have already declared the names of the candidates, I would request, be UDP, be it BJP, be it KHNAM or be it everybody if they can, why not support the candidate from the NPP,” Tynsong told reporters after announcing candidates for Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha seats.
To a question, Tynsong said Lyngdoh does not have to resign as MLA to contest the Lok Sabha election as per the Constitution of India.
“She will continue and ultimately once she wins, of course the prescription is already there where she will have to vacate one if not MP, then MLA, if not MLA then MP,” he said.
While Ampareen is the four-time legislator, Agatha, who is representing Tura, was a union minister of state.
Tynsong denied that neither he nor the national president had approached TMC vice president and former Umroi legislator George B Lyngdoh to join and contest the election from the NPP.
Tynsong said the party will soon come up with a manifesto for the 2024 elections.
He said there were no dearth of candidates for NPP.
“There were not less than 5-6 aspirants in both the constituencies and ultimately, the state election committee after due examintion and proper consultation not only upto the district level but also upto booth level decided to recommend these two names to the high command and the high command has already approved these two names – Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh and Agatha K Sangma,” Tynsong added.
He did not want to disclose the names of other ticket aspirants.
He said the decision to allot a party ticket to the two women public representatives was based on the winnability factor.
He expressed confidence that the NPP will take away Shillong seat from the Congress and retain the Tura seat as the party has the highest vote share in both these constituencies.
He said the NPP secured the highest vote share from Shillong parliamentary constituency despite winning only a few seats in the 2023 Assembly polls.
The NPP was followed by the United Democratic Party (UDP) and Congress in third place.
“Tura is not only highest I think we even crossed 50% it is about 52%. Therefore, the party will work hard wholeheartedly specially I have already instructed all the newly appointed office bearers to go down upto the district level or polling booth level, we will reach out upto the village level.”
