Dhar to support brother-in-law

Dhar was accused of anti-party activities by announcing Wailad Shylla, a resident of Mukhla village as a candidate from constituency of his cabinet colleague, Laloo, who is also presently the deputy chief minister of the state.

“He (Shylla) is my brother-in-law and is also a Congress man for the past nine years. He is also one of the aspirants for the party ticket from the constituency (Jowai),” Dhar told reporters at the sidelines of a party meeting held here.

The Jowai Block Congress Committee has recently sought dropping of Dhar, who is Minister in-charge of Power, for his alleged “anti-party activities” at the constituency of Laloo in West Jaintia Hills District.

Stating that the allegation of anti-party activity is totally wrong, Dhar however said, “I have never projected him (Shylla). In fact, he was projected by his own village (Mukhla) but it so happened that he is my brother-in-law.”

In what may come as a threat to the deputy chief minister, the power minister, while announcing his full support to Shylla, said that he would also push for his brother-in-law to get the Congress ticket.

“As of now, the party is yet to declare the official candidates and in view of this everybody has the right to apply for party ticket…now where the question of anti-party activity in this,” he said.

Asked, Dhar went on by citing the instances in the past where sitting legislators were denied tickets by Congress.

“Proof is there where many sitting MLAs were denied tickets by the party. For instance in the case of Umroi constituency (in which ticket was given to his brother Ngaitlang Dhar, who also won in 2013),” he said.

Hinting that this may also be repeated in Jowai Constituency, Dhar said, “You will never know because ticket will be based on “winnability” which is the culture of the Congress party.”

Refuting the allegation that he was not in good term with Laloo, he said, “There is no such misunderstanding between us and I have always respect him (Laloo) as a senior leader.”

Meanwhile, the power minister also rubbished allegations that he would contest the upcoming elections from the National People’s Party (NPP).

“Well that is other’s opinion and not mine because I will contest from the Congress. I am with the party and the party is with me,” he said while exuding confidence that the Congress would come back to power in 2018.