Shillong, Sept 19: The National People’s Party (NPP) would approach former Congress leader and former Chief Minister, Donwa Dethwelson Lapang to join the party, after he quit the party accusing the AICC of adopting a policy of phasing out senior and elderly people.
Deputy Chief Minister and NPP leader, Prestone Tynsong said that at the stature (of Lapang) only fools will not approach him.
“We have to approach him but final decision is his, whether he would come to us or go to other parties,†Tynsong said.
Asked if it was a setback for the Congress, Tynsong said, “you can ask the Congress. But a very senior most not only in Meghalaya but in the Northeast and one of the senior most even in India from the Congress party, you can understand.â€
According to Tynsong Lapang’s resignation means that in the Congress, there is something wrong somewhere, otherwise why should he at his stature took such an extreme step of resigning from the party.
“I have seen in the media that after Lapang submitted the resignation letter, they tried to convince him (sorry please withdraw your resignation, please take back your resignation we will take care of you). I don’t know whether it is true or not, but even CLP leader (Mukul Sangma) rushed to Delhi to meet him (Lapang) and so many Congress leaders rushed to Delhi to meet him,†he said.
“But nothing happen. Now I am not with the Congress, and I can no longer advise them. I do not say that (if I regret or not coming out of the Congress), but my decision was in the interest of the people and the state. I am sure I have taken a very positive decision,†he said.
The NPP is now leading a six-party coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government with the support of BJP and other parties besides Independents.
Tynsong said that when he was in the Congress, so many times he went and met the AICC and told them to take a decision as corrective measures, but in vain.
Tynsong left the Congress on December 29 last year, and joined the NPP on January 4 this year, just before the February 27-Assembly elections.
The NPP has 20 MLAs in Meghalaya and led the coalition Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government under the leadership of Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma.
Tynsong also said that he had visited poll-bound Mizoram a few days ago, and met some Congress leaders there, besides leaders of other political parties.
“The talk is on and I cannot divulge much. I met few Congress MLAs in Mizoram and MNF chief, Zoramthanga. We sat down and discussed about the upcoming elections. I told them that we are going to establish our NPP party in Mizoram too. Though we were a little late, but I am sure we will be able to do something in the upcoming elections. I also requested them why not also joined the NPP because the ideology and principle of the party is we wanted to bring in the best ‘eco-friendly Northeast states party.’ As of now, NPP is the best party which is very eco friendly because our ideology is we wanted to bring in united Northeastern states and protect the interest of our tribal people, make sure their beliefs, religion, caste, greed are fully protected. Our presence has already been felt in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, and now our venture is in Mizoram,†Tynsong said.
Tynsong said that he had requested the MNF chief to work together with the NPP. “Post poll alliance is inevitable in case of a hung Assembly. Post poll alliance has to be there, otherwise, nobody will be able to form the government,†he said.
Whether the Congress can still retain power in Mizoram, Tynsong said, “as of now Mizoram is the only state ruled by the Congress. I was there and I could see that Congress will be out of power in this upcoming elections. It is not necessary to finish the Congress off because it did by itself. I think they will do the same thing in Mizoram and they should not blame us or anybody. They have to blame themselves.â€
Mizoram will go to Assembly polls by the end of this year.