SHILLONG: Political parties are gearing up for the bypoll to the South Tura assembly constituency in Meghalaya on August 23 following announcement of the date by the Election Commission on Monday.Chief minister Conrad Kongkal Sangma, who is also the national president of National People's Party (NPP), will seek election from the prestigious constituency vacated by his sister Agatha earlier this month to pave the way for him to gain a seat in the assembly. Conrad, who was sworn in on March 6 and is currently an MP, is required to get elected to the assembly within September 6 next as the stipulated time of six months to get elected as a state legislator expires on that day.Conrad has the backing of United Democratic Party (UDP), BJP, People's Democratic Party (PDP) and Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) - all constituents of the NPP-led ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance in the state. The opposition Congress, which recently won the bypoll to the Ampati assembly constituency, is likely to put up a tough fight in Tura. However, the party is yet to formally announce its candidate.On the other hand, the national executive meeting of NPP was held at New Delhi last Saturday to chalk out plans for contesting the upcoming elections in Mizoram, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The meeting, which was chaired by Conrad, empowered the election committee of the party to plan out modalities to make its presence felt in all the three states, which are likely to go to the polls in the next few months. Conrad urged party functionaries to focus on their strength and push the agenda of inclusive growth for the indigenous people and minorities in the country, a source said."Though NPP is a new party, it has been able to make its presence felt across the northeast and Rajasthan within a short span of time. We have to capitalize on our strength and make attempts to unitedly raise the voice and concerns of the people," said Conrad. The meeting also decided to field candidates from different constituencies across the country for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.The NPP leadership also felicitated seven MLAs from Arunachal Pradesh who joined the party recently. "We are happy that regional parties are merging with us in our mission to champion the cause of the northeast under a single platform," said Conrad, while welcoming the MLAs in the party fold. Senior Congress leader from Meghalaya Martin Danggo, who recently quit Congress and also resigned from the assembly, was also present at the meeting.

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