The Jirang unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) was thrown into turmoil today after sitting MDC Victor Rani quit the party and joined the Congress Party ahead of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) election.
The NPP has yet to formally declare its choice of candidate for Jirang. Rani, however, obviously knows that the wind is not blowing in his favour and decided to switch horses midway through the race.
Not only Rani but several of his supporters followed him into the Congress today. They were welcomed into the fold at a function in Byrnihat.
The meeting was attended by Ri-Bhoi District Congress Committee president MG Kharshanlor, vice-president Rocky A Marwein, state youth president Hadrian Chyne Mylliemngap and leaders from the Jirang Block Congress Committee. More than 100 Congress supporters were also present.
Although the Congress has not made its list of candidates known, Rani is now one of the favourites to contest the Jirang seat. Ideology seems to have played no part in Rani’s decision – he outrightly said that denial of a ticket by the NPP was the main reason for him joining the Congress.
He claimed NPP leaders from Jirang and the local MLA tarnished his image by influencing the state NPP leaders to conspire and deny him a ticket despite him being the incumbent MDC.
