Caught in a dilemma over the decision of its candidate from Ranikor constituency Martin M. Danggo to join the BJP, the NPP today said it is in a hurry to search for a new candidate.
Speaking to media persons here today, NPP South West Khasi Hills District president Kitboklang Nongrem said that since the time is very short a general meeting of the party would be held at Rangthong on February 2 to reconstitute the party and decide on the candidate.
Accusing Danggo of betraying the NPP, Nongrem also categorically denied the allegation made by Danggo’s supporter Pelcy Snaitang that the NPP leaders are clandestinely supporting the UDP legislator Pius Marwein.
“The allegations by Snaitang that me and my team are trying to campaign against Danggo in this coming elections are baseless,” Nongrem said while he also clarified that WhatsApp messages referred to by Snaitang were not about extending support to the UDP candidate.
There were reports that Danggo has decided to contest the upcoming Assembly elections on a BJP ticket. Reports also said that he met Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati on January 28 along with Meghalaya BJP MLA Alexander L. Hek to seal the deal.
Sources said that Danggo will meet his supporters on January 4 at Nolikata in Ranikor constituency to officially declare his decision to join the BJP.
Further, hundreds of his supporters from Ranikor constituency joined the BJP at the party office here yesterday.