Shillong, Nov 3: Basking in the glory after winning two seats out of three Meghalaya Assembly Constituencies, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on November 2 asked all Congress leaders to either join the National People’s Party (NPP) or the United Democratic Party (UDP) before they drown along with the “sinking party”.

“The Congress is a sinking ship. I request all Congress leaders to either join NPP or UDP but before the ship sinks please jump to the other ship and save yourselves from drowning,” Tynsong told reporters after congratulating NPP candidate Pyniaid Sing Syiem, who won the Mawryngkneng bypoll.

He said that the mandate of the people in the just concluded bye-elections is very clear that they no longer have faith in the opposition Congress.

Adding that it was now time for the party and also the government to perform better since they don’t have much time with the coming general election early 2023, NPP national president Conrad Sangma thanked the people of all the three constituencies for having faith in the NPP

Lashing out at the Congress

On the Congress’ allegation that the NPP was engaging in political poaching, the deputy Chief Minister lashed out on congress and said, “We would have scored more votes but due to poaching system did by Congress ultimately Pyniaid Sing Syiem won with a margin of 1800 plus and even Abdus Saleh with almost 2,000 margin – otherwise I am telling you if they did not apply the old tactic that they used to even me I was the one who is part of Congress that time we used to do poaching.”

When asked if the NPP would approach former chief minister Mukul Sangma and MPCC president Vincent Pala to join its fold, Tynsong however said he would leave it to their wisdom as seasoned politicians.

However, NPP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Dr WR Kharlukhi reminded that although the Congress is a sinking ship, “the NPP is a lifeboat, it is up to them.