Ex-UDP MLAs’ voters turning towards NPP: Dhar
Shillong, Oct 15: The voters in the constituencies of eight former UDP legislators, who have shifted their allegiance to the BJP, have now turned towards NPP, Deputy Chief Minister and NPP national vice-president Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Wednesday.
Dhar dismissed the suggestion that the UDP MLAs joining the BJP would have any impact on NPP’s prospects in the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha bye-election.
To a question if the UDP voters would shift to the VPP, Dhar said, “Please see the record. During the last MP election, almost all the voters went to VPP only. UDP has got 40,000 plus, NPP has got 1,80,000 plus. Now they are coming to us, there is no effect at all.”
He asserted that the NPP candidate is gaining strength across the state.
“Our candidate keeps growing in strength from time to time, and he is gaining strength from all corners of the state,” Dhar said.
On campaign response, he said, “The response you have seen with your own eyes, as per the witnesses during the meetings, every meeting is a good turnout…”
Dhar said NPP’s advantage lies in its hardworking workers and its new candidate.
“Our workers work very hard, and our candidate is a new one… that is one of the reasons people like him… He is very mature with so much qualification…,” he said.
He added, “From the NPP when we speak we speak as per the issue we never blame anybody.”
If NPP will request BJP not to field any candidate for the upcoming bypoll, Dhar said, “No, all parties are free to set up candidates, not issue in that, it will not affect at all.”
‘Turnout not good at VPP rally’.
Dhar, while commenting on the VPP’s rally at Polo Ground, said it could not gather even 10,000 people despite mobilising people from 36 assembly constituencies under the Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
“VPP rally was for 36 constituencies, not even 10,000 people. How can you say it is a good turnout?,” Dhar said, responding to queries on the VPP’s recent rally to drum up support for their Shillong Lok Sabha byelection candidate Dr Batskhem Myrboh.
The NPP national vice-president said if his party calls supporters from 36 constituencies, the crowd would be three times more.
“If NPP calls all 36 constituencies, it will be triple that…,” he added.
