Shillong, Oct 7: While the election fever is picking pace in Meghalaya, National People’s Party (NPP) National President Conrad K Sangma on Thursday claimed that they are confident but not overconfident when looking at the Opposition’s (Congress) situation in the state and also at the national level.
Sangma, also the Chief Minister of the state, who has contested 5 elections, stated that he has realised that when one underestimates his opponent that is when he/she is already on the wrong foot.
“I have always believed and I always guide and tell my candidates never underestimate the Opposition and never be over confident,” said Sangma after the filing of nomination papers by NPP candidates Pynïaid Sing Syiem (Mawryngkneng) and Lamphrang Blah (Mawphlang).
Giving a positive response, Sangma said that seeing the situation they are confident and they will get through but are not overconfident. “We will never underestimate the Opposition and will ensure we don’t leave any stone unturned and give our full commitment to ensure we win all the three seats,” he said.
The advantage with NPP
With the three candidates already announced to contest from the three Assembly constituencies – Mawphlang, Mawryngkneng and Rajabala, Sangma said NPP is confident that in all three constituencies they have an edge.
“The people of all the three constituencies have seen the work that we have done and they want to be with the party and they have seen how NPP has been working not just in the state but throughout the Northeast,” added Sangma.
He also mentioned that with the way Opposition is in now, in a very weak position because of the situation at the National level as well as the situation within the party at state level, they as a party are very confident that in this coming bypolls NPP will sweep all the three constituencies.
Thankful to UDP: Conrad
Asked about its coalition partner United Democratic Party (UDP) deciding to extend support to NPP at Mawryngkneng constituency, and if NPP could have done the same at Mawphlang, Sangma clarified that as a government and coalition partners they will respect each other and will always work to support each other wherever possible.
“But whenever there is a situation where the parties interest or individual parties interest are there, we will always allow those interest to be there and will not interfere with those,” said Sangma.
He also stated that if there was a situation where they did not put up a candidate NPP would have extended support to UDP.
“Today we are thankful to UDP for extending support in Mawryngkneng constituency,” added Sangma.
