The entry of the Trinamool Congress into Meghalaya’s political arena may have caused worry among political parties in the State although they preferred to put up a brave face.
Senior NPP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong today said the entry of the new political party is a good sign.
“Now that Trinamool Congress has entered our State I would leave it to the wisdom of the voters of the State. Personally, I feel it is a very healthy process and very healthy exercise to each and every citizen of the State,” Tynsong said.
Asked if Trinamool Congress poses a threat to NPP and other allies of the ruling MDA, Tynsong said that the focus of a politician is to win elections and it means the voters have to decide which party is the best to represent their constituencies.
“The people of the State have already seen how the NPP led government performed and how we dealt with sensitive issues like Sweepers Colony and boundary issues. People will understand and I’m sure they will have faith in the NPP-led MDA government,” Tynsong asserted.
On Trinamool Congress becoming the main opposition party in the State, NPP legislator and cabinet minister James Sangma said that it is good that the opposition is there to keep the government on its toes.
“Whether a person is a threat or party is a threat or not that is something as political parties we’re always aware of it. So to call somebody a threat or dismiss them as not a threat is not the right way to go about it,” Sangma said.
UDP leader and Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui who seemed to differ from the NPP leaders said that he looked at the latest political development in two ways – the success of BJP in dismantling Congress through Trinamool Congress and the division of Congress party in the State.
“Personally I would say this is not a good thing for the State. In Garo hills region, Trinamool Congress may be a threat because they have few options but in Khasi hills region voters will be confused because of several options when there’s too many parties,” Rymbui said.
Stating that it is too early to predict the political situation in the run up to the 2023 Assembly elections, Rymbui said that the lesser number of parties the better for the State because too many options make it hard for the voters to choose especially in Meghalaya where voters go by allegiance to a party or political leader.
