Shillong: Meghalaya's minister for labour M. Ampareen Lyngdoh on Wednesday expressed confidence that the Congress would form the next government in 2018 though a handful of Congress leaders are on the verge of leaving the party.

Congress legislators, including seniors such as Rowell Lyngdoh and Prestone Tynsong, have already expressed their desire to quit and join the National People's Party (NPP) .

The Congress has been in power in Meghalaya since 2009. It got a landslide victory in the last Assembly elections. The electorate will vote for a new 60-member Assembly in early 2018.

Ampareen said despite many challenges, develop-ment activities were carried out by the Congress government in several sectors, including road and health.

On desertion of senior Congress leaders, she said the Congress wanted to keep the flock together but when legislators do not want to be with the party and want to move on to newer pastures, it's their choice. "There is no desertion, it is just a matter of somebody's choice," she said.

Saying that one need not always be in the "hot seat" to deliver good service, she said, "In the last five years we have seen legislators who were not in the hot seat, but continued to serve the people."

She said joining another political party was usual, especially during elections.

"We appeal to the people of the state to vote our party back to power for prosperity, development, coexistence of Indians across the country in general and Meghalaya in particular. I hope we will be able to continue our services and make sure that peace is given a priority. The safety of people is very important to the party," she added.

On election preparations in her constituency, Ampareen said, "I have tried my best to serve my constituency. It is a question of working hard, being consistent, being seen in the constituency and being there for various reasons and not just development."