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Shillong, Oct. 15: AICC president Sonia Gandhi today stressed on winnability as the first criteria for selection of the party candidates for the Meghalaya Assembly polls early next year.
“This was communicated when Meghalaya PCC president D.D. Lapang met her in New Delhi,” a party communiqué stated.
Expecting a good result in the polls, Sonia also asked the party to be united and work hard.
When Lapang informed her of the number of women applicants keen for the party ticket, Sonia was of the opinion that while they are to be encouraged, the winnability factor should be first taken into account.
Prominent Congress women politicians who are vying for tickets include urban affairs minister M. Ampareen Lyngdoh from East Shillong constituency, PCC working president Deborah C. Marak from Williamnagar and former minister Roshan Warjri from North Shillong.
Other candidates include Fardina C. Marak from Songsak, Sabina Sangma from Rongjeng, Arlene Sangma from Chokpot, Silme Marak from Mahendraganj, Eureka Lyngdoh from Mairang, Pelcy Snaitang from Mawshynrut and Irin Lyngdoh from Mawthadraishan.
Chief minister Mukul Sangma’s wife Dikkanchi D. Shira is likely to contest from Mahendraganj in West Garo Hills district.
Lapang also handed over a report of the political scenario in the state to Sonia and apprised her of all procedures and steps taken by the PCC pertaining to the application process and selection of party candidates.
As of now, the PCC is scrutinising the application forms before they are sent to the state election coordination committee after which they will be forwarded to the AICC for the final approval.
He also promised Sonia that the party would try its best in order to reap good results.
Later, accompanied by Shillong MP Vincent Pala and state forest minister Prestone Tynsong, Lapang met Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh where it was decided that sanction would be accorded to the 21 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana schemes covering 90km, at an estimated expenditure of about Rs 80 crore.
Ramesh is likely to hold a meeting in mid November for disposal and sanction of the schemes.
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