From a Correspondent

SHILLONG, June 19: Congress MP and one of the youngest lawmakers in the UPA Cabinet Sachin Pilot, who is also the Union Minister of State for Information Technology, while addressing party workers at the Congress Bhavan here on Tuesday, urged Agatha Sangma to vote for Pranab Mukherjee in the ensuing Presidential polls.

Agatha, who is a NCP MP from the Tura constituency, is the daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma.

It may be mentioned that the NCP units in the North East has resolved to vote for Purno.

Pilot said that since the NCP was a part and parcel of the UPA government, it should vote for the coalition’s nominee (Pranab Mukherjee). “There is complete clarity on the issue and there is no confusion in this regard,” Pilot said adding that even NCP supremo Sharad Pawar had assured the UPA that it would vote for Pranab.

However, NCP legislator of the State and Opposition leader Conrad K Sangma recently said that the NCP had a federal structure and State units were independent to vote for a candidate of their choice.

Meanwhile, Pilot also asked the Congress workers in Meghalaya to prepare for the 2013 Assembly elections to get a head start over other political parties in the State. “Congress should start preparing early for a better performance,” Pilot said.

It may be mentioned that parties like the NCP and the UDP have already started declaring the names of candidates for the Assembly elections slated for early 2013. Pilot also said that the Congress would come back to power in Meghalaya as people had faith in the party.

MPCC president DD Lapang, legislators Prestone Tynsong, AL Hek among others were present in the meet.