Conrad attributes cause to Lapang's pull-out

Shillong, Nov 27: tiol People’s Party (NPP) president and Tura Lok Sabha MP Conrad K Sangma said on Monday the decision of Congress veteran and Nongpoh MLA Dr DD Lapang not to contest the 2018 Assembly polls was due to the fact that he was fed up with Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma.

“His decision to quit was done quietly and there is a deeper message in what he did that as a veteran political leader he felt that he has been sidelined. And he wanted to convey that he was fed up under the leadership of Mukul Sangma,” Conrad said while iugurating party office of Ri-Bhoi district and Nongpoh Block at Mawroh (Lumthurih), Nongpoh.

The Tura MP also paid tribute to Lapang’s political career saying he has contributed a lot to the politics of the State.

Conrad also said that by quitting Lapang wanted to send a message that he cannot continue to work in a political party like the Congress under the leadership of Mukul Sangma.

The NPP president said Mukul from time to time sidelined frontline leaders of the party like Lapang.

Conrad also said the Nongpoh MLA’s decision not to contest the 2018 elections shows that he does not see hope with the Congress.

“He is the MPCC president and a veteran politician who can read the signs on the wall that there is no hope with the Congress,” Conrad said.

“It is clear message that not only Dr DD Lapang but even Deputy Chief Minister Dr RC Laloo and Roshan Warjri had conveyed by deciding not to contest anymore, which is significant,” Conrad added.

He also said four Congress MLAs – Prestone Tynsong, Sniawbhalang Dhar, Ngaitlang Dhar and Rowell Lyngdoh – refused to be part of the Congress under the leadership of Mukul Sangma, even as he pointed out that these are signs that the Congress has lost the goodwill of the people of the State.

Conrad further asserted that the NPP will form the government after the 2018 elections.

“This has made many of the prominent political figures of the State to align with the NPP,” the Tura MP added.

“The NPP is for the indigenous people of the Northeast and the minorities in the country. People have seen the seeds sown by Late Purno A Sangma,” Conrad added.

He also denied allegations that the NPP was close to the BJP.

“The NPP has its own ideology and the BJP its own method of working,” Conrad added.