Shillong, Feb 22: Former Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Martin M. Danggo on Tuesday said he is ready to go to hell for the people of Ranikor constituency. Danggo informed that the leaders and workers at the grassroot have decided that he should again contest from the NPP whether win or lose.
The former five-time legislator from Ranikor was speaking at a meeting organized to welcome his re-joining of the National People’s Party (NPP) here on Tuesday.
“When they have taken this decision (to contest from NPP), I said it is their wish and even if they send me to hell, I am ready to go. That is why we again re-joined the NPP with the full hope that the party can give better service to the state and the nation as a whole,” he said.
He also expressed confidence that under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the NPP will become the single largest party after the 2023 Assembly polls.
Danggo had quit the opposition Congress to join the NPP after he was re-elected in the 2018 Assembly polls, after creation of the Ranikor Civil Sub-Division. He, however, was defeated by now UDP MLA Pius Marwein in the Ranikor bye-election held the same year.
The former Ranikor MLA said after the people of the constituency had rejected him in the bye-election despite getting a Civil Sub-Division, he thought that there is no point joining active politics and resigned from the NPP in February 2020.
He said suddenly two messengers of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma – MLA Gigur Myrthong and ex-MLA Nihim D Shira came to his residence and conveyed the message of the CM that he would like to meet him. “I was shocked as although I have resigned from the NPP with no intention anymore to contest any further election but still then the brotherly feeling that I received from the CM through these messengers, I was really moved,” Danggo said.
“Thereafter, I came to Shillong and met him (CM). Then I convey the message that I don’t have any grudge against you (or) against your party. Infact I should always be grateful to you for the gift of Civil Sub division which was a distance dream for Ranikor,” he added.
He said that he has requested time to consult with the leaders and supporters as to whether they are willing to send him to contest the 2023 elections. However, it took almost two years for them to come to a conclusion for him to contest again from Ranikor constituency, Danggo said.
