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Shillong, Oct. 14: The Congress is optimistic about returning to power in Meghalaya, where its women cadres will be equipped with coordinating skills to ensure smooth sailing in the 2013 Assembly polls.
The party has been under attack from various corners, with the Arvind Kejriwal-Salman Khurshid episode taking centre stage.
“The party is at the receiving end all over the country with other political parties trying to tear it apart. We are, however, determined to counter these challenges,” All-India Mahila Congress (AIMC) secretary Poonam Rani Bhatia told reporters here today. Bhatia is also in charge of the state’s Mahila Congress.
The state is going to elect the ninth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in February-March next year.
Though the Election Commission is yet to announce the poll schedule, political parties and their frontal wings are gearing up for the battle of ballot.
The Congress has recently appointed women managers from amongst its existing members in all 60 constituencies of the state to oversee the election process.
“We have appointed in-charges for each of the 60 Assembly constituencies to oversee the election process. The in-charge will also coordinate with other wings of the party,” Bhatia said.
To augment their efficiency, the AIMC will organise a one-day training programme tomorrow afternoon at the Congress Bhavan here. “The objective of this training is to make them understand their role in the party and act as coordinators between mahilas, Meghalaya PCC and other frontal organisations and address problems,” Bhatia said.
Stressing “teamwork”, Bhatia requested leaders of the Meghalaya PCC and those at district and block levels to extend full cooperation to the in-charges to ensure better results.
On the women candidates, she expressed hope that a good number of the 11 women leaders who have applied for party tickets, would be given a chance to contest the election.
At least 11 women leaders, including urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, former minister Roshan Warjri and Meghalaya PCC working president Deborah C. Marak, have applied for Congress tickets. Chief minister Mukul Sangma’s wife, Dikkanchi D. Shira, is also likely to contest from Mahendraganj in West Garo Hills.
Bhatia also expressed optimism that the Congress will get an absolute majority in the 2013 polls.
Santana concert
Internationally renowned Shillong-based blues band Soulmate have been bestowed the honour of opening the show for legendary guitarist Carlos Santana at the F1 Rocks concert in New Delhi on October 28.
Lead vocalist Tipriti Kharbangar of the nine-year-old band said it was an honour to perform the opening act for a global music icon like Santana and added that they were looking forward to the concert, in a statement issued to the press today. The other band member is lead guitarist Rudy Wallang. who is a recognised blues guitarist.
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