Gaining 8,000 votes is a huge feat: Conrad

Staff Correspondent

Shillong, May 31: Meghalaya Chief Minister and National President of the Nationalist People’s Party (NPP) Conrad K Sangma has accepted his candidate’s defeat in the Ampati by-poll, but said his candidate has succeeded in reducing the votes usually earns by his predecessor Mukul Sangma.

The State Chief Minister stated, “It was a tough fight but gaining 8,000 votes in the by-poll is a huge feat for the NPP.”

The NPP had gone hammer and tongs against Mukul Sangma who abandoned the seat after the recent Assembly poll.

The Chief Minister gracefully accepted the defeat and congratulated the newly elected MLA N Shira.

Sangma said that the results of the Ampati by-poll would not affect his government.

On being asked about the fate of his government after the new poll results as the Congress stands at 22 against the NPP which has strength of 21, Conrad K Sangma said, “All our coalition partners are together. We have 38 MLAs and there is no threat to our government.” The coalition government headed by the NPP comprises the UDP, HSPDP, BJP and two independent candidates.