Shillong, Oct 22: The prospect of National People’s Party (NPP) in the upcoming elections to Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) will not be affected by the issue of delay in payment of salary to GHADC employees, NPP leader and cabinet minister Marcuise N Marak said on Wednesday.
“They have started preparing bills etc. Once the bills are ready, money will be paid to them (employees),” Marak said while assuring that the issue has been almost resolved.
Most employees are happy and they have resumed their offices, he said.
Reiterating the party’s commitment to being with the people on the ground every day, he said, “We are 24 x 7 with the people. We are almost ever ready to face any election.”
On the party’s preparation for GHADC elections, he said intending candidates have to submit their applications for party tickets by November 14.
He asserted that “winnability” will be the main criteria of selecting candidates while grassroots party leaders’ recommendations would play a significant role.
“We will seek clarification from grassroots party leaders. We will be hearing them,” he said.
Marak added that loyalty to the party is also considered, but winnability is the primary criteria.
He also informed that the party units have been asked to hold review meetings every weekend to know the position of prospective candidates seeking NPP ticket to fight the GHADC elections.
Marak expressed confidence that the party will receive a good number of applications from intending candidates, including women, and that the party will issue forms to all candidates.
He also mentioned that there is a slight enhancement of Rs 5,000 in the application fee this time, which will be used by the district offices.
