Shillong, Oct 22: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Friday expressed optimism that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) will win all the three Assembly constituencies which are scheduled for their bye-election on October 30.
Additionally, he appealed to voters to vote for the party and not be confused by ‘misleading’ statements of opposition.
“Let me tell you we are getting all three seats and that will be proved on November 2,” he told reporters on Friday here.
Money power a tactic to confuse voters
Stating that the allegation on use of money power during the bye-polls does not come as a surprise, Tynsong said it is just a tactic to create confusion among the voters.
“Even if we happen to be in the opposition we will also allege that Congress is throwing money, it is not a new thing. Therefore, Congress right now they are in the opposition. Certainly they have to say that the ruling party is throwing money or we lost because of the money. In fact that is not true,” he said.
“Therefore, I appeal to the voters especially of the three constituencies which are going for bye election, don’t get confused. Be as you are. Don’t listen to money, don’t listen to any kind of misleading statement made by anybody. But go to the polling station cool and calm and stamp your vote certainly for NPP,” added the Deputy CM.
A multipronged battle for all seats
As many as 13 candidates are in the fray to contest the upcoming bye-elections to Mawryngkneng, Mawphlang and Rajabala seats.
In Mawryngkneng, KHADC chairman and Sohryngkham MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem from the ruling NPP will be contesting against the opposition Congress nominee Highlander Kharmalki and three other Independent candidates – Esron Marwein, Arbiangkam Kharsohmat and Norbert Marboh.
Former Mawphlang MLA (L) SK Sunn’s son Eugeneson Lyngdoh, a football star who decided to contest on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket, is pitched against two seasoned politicians – former MLA Kennedy C Khyriem of the Congress and four-time MDC Lamphrang Blah of the NPP – from the Mawphlang constituency.
As far as Rajabala constituency is concerned, former MLA Dr Azad Zaman’s wife Hashina Yasmin Mondal will contest to retain the Congress seat against former legislator and currently sitting MDC of Batabari Ashahel D Shira from UDP and three others – MD Abdus Saleh from NPP, Kingston B Marak (BJP) and Carla R Sangma (Independent).
