Congress working president and senior MLA, Ampareen Lyngdoh today alleged that party members contesting as rebel candidates for the upcoming by-elections in Mawryngkneng, Mawphlang and Rajabala could be a conspiracy by opponents of Congress.
“See they (opponents) have a lot of money now so they will throw money,” the Congress leader said.
According to her, the by-elections are being held after three sitting MLAs died prematurely.
“This is not a general election where these kinds of dramas have to unfold. This is a very solemn election,” Lyngdoh added.
She said that similar things are happening in Mawphlang and Rajabala.
“If it is not poaching then what is it? Did those people even approach our party for a ticket,” she asked.
She pointed out that this could be in the case of the breakaway group in Mawryngkneng.
The Congress legislator said that in Mawryngkneng, the breakaway group led by Norbert Myrboh who is now contesting as an independent candidate reacted late by asking for a party ticket.
Lyngdoh also said that in Mawphlang, the four-time Congress MDC, Lamphrang Blah did not express to the party his willingness or keenness on contesting the by-election.
“There was never a mention made by Blah. He never for once said I will apply for a ticket. It was like a bolt from the blue. He just left the party in haste,” Lyngdoh said.
It may be mentioned that Blah will be contesting the by-election from Mawphlang constituency on an NPP ticket.
Comparing Blah to a ‘star batsman’ in the team, she informed that the only applicant for Congress ticket from the vacant seat was Kennedy C. Khyriem.
“Since he (Kennedy) is an old hand and he already has his own pockets of support, we did not doubt. But by the way except him, nobody else applied for a Congress ticket in Mawphlang,” Lyngdoh added.
In Rajabala, where Congress MDC, Ashahel D. Shira is contesting on UDP ticket, she pointed out that the regional party had fared poorly in the recently held GHADC polls.
“What gives this new candidate this imagination that suddenly people will turn a new leaf? The UDP president was so disappointed after the GHADC polls because they had invested time and funds. But did you see any results?” she asked.
Lyngdoh also asked as to who is funding Shira to contest the Rajabala by-poll because according to her for contesting an election one needs financial resources.
