Shillong, June 11: The Meghalaya NCP today alleged that the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government was interested only in awarding contracts and claimed that the online lottery would soon be put into play without following the bidding process.
"This government is not at all concerned about genuine public issues, but only interested in awarding contracts. I am told that soon the online lottery contract would be given out and that, too, without following the bidding process," NCP legislator and leader of Opposition Conrad K. Sangma told reporters this evening.
The Selsella legislator warned prospective companies against taking up the online lottery. "Companies must be very careful. The comptroller and auditor-general might take exception if the bidding process is not followed. The future government might also cancel the lottery if they find that the rules have not been adhered to," Conrad said.
The NCP also declared the names of seven candidates who would be contesting in the 2013 Assembly polls. Clement Momin will be the party's candidate contesting against Meghalaya chief minister Mukul M. Sangma from Ampati constituency.
The names include those of Assembly Deputy Speaker Sanbor Shullai from Shillong South constituency, Mihnyngkong Sutnga (Raliang), Shimbor Diengngan (Mawshynrut), Cornelius Nongbri (Ranikor), David Ch. Sangma (South Tura), Sader Hussain (Phulbari), and Clement Momin (Ampati).
The party also said Rajya Sabha MP Thomas A. Sangma would be its candidate from North Tura constituency.
With these announcements, the party has cleared the names of candidates in 27 constituencies.
As candidates from both constituencies of Tura have been declared, it is clear that former Lok Sabha Speaker and sitting Tura legislator, Purno Agitok Sangma will not be contesting in next year's elections.
"Well, he has not yet applied for the party ticket," Conrad Sangma replied when asked about the fate of the political leader.
Earlier, the party had declared that the former Lok Sabha Speaker would become the chief minister if the NCP is voted to power. However, with the recent developments where Sangma has announced his candidature for the upcoming presidential polls, things could change.
"We will wait till July and look into it after that," Conrad Sangma said on whether Purno Sangma would still be projected as chief minister in an NCP-led government.
On whether the party would field its candidates in all 60 Assembly seats, he said, "We will field candidates in constituencies where we have got a strong chance of winning."
The NCP leader also used the opportunity to take a jibe at the Congress and said since there was a lot of confusion within the ruling party, the list of contestants was yet to be declared.
"I am challenging the Congress to release the names of the candidates promptly. However, every leadership seems to be having its own candidates for the elections," Conrad Sangma said.
