SHILLONG: 26 Feb 2013

Despite having made claims that the Congress party would secure majority in the Assembly and form the next government in the State on its own, the party is now considering the possibility of a fractured mandate and is opening up to talks of a post-poll alliance.

Speaking to The Shillong Times on Monday, former Chief Minister and MPCC president DD Lapang said that for the sake of stability, a post poll alliance with ‘likeminded parties’ is the need of the hour, even though he made it clear that it was up to the party leadership to take a final call on the matter.

“I am open for post poll alliance as this will ensure stability for the next five years. For us people’s interest comes ahead of party interest,” Lapang said.

The MPCC chief also reiterated that any decision regarding post-poll alliance will be taken collectively by the party.

On the leadership issue, Lapang asserted that there would not be any problem in deciding the next leader as the same has been left to the wisdom of the AICC.

The MPCC president also claimed that he had never prevented anyone else from becoming the leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

Commenting on the overall turn out of voters, Lapang said that people’s awareness has increased and this has resulted in large scale participation of voters in the election.

He also hoped that voters in the State will show similar or even greater enthusiasm in future elections also.

source:http://www.theshillongtimes.com