Paul blames Congress' money power for his defeat

From Our Staff Correspondent

Shillong, March 5: The United Democratic Party (UDP) has alleged that huge money power of the Congress has caused several of the eight elected members of the last Assembly to bite the dust.

Talking to The Sentinel on Monday, working president of the UDP Paul Lyngdoh, who lost the just concluded elections from Shillong West,  said, “It is something undeniable; it is common knowledge that huge amounts of money were pumped by agents of the Congress party to ensure that they return to power by hook or by crook.”

“This is something that all consencious citizens of Meghalaya should wake up to because at this rate democracy will be ruled by a few who have got money power,” Lyngdoh said in his indirect dig at his winning opponent.

UDP general secretary Jemino Mawtho also echoed similar views. “The Congress targets the most vulnerable BPL families through its money power,” alleged Mawthoh.

Coming to the stability of the next coalition Government in the light of Meghalya’s political history, Paul Lyngdoh said,  “Now we have a coalition of political parties comprising of the UDP, NPP, HSPDP, PDF and possibly NCP. It is unlike the last coalition Government led by Mukul Sangma which was supported by 14 independent MLAs with different priorities and different agenda.