Tura, Feb 16: In a major political setback to sitting Chief Executive Member of the GHADC, Albinush Marak, the ruling NPP has denied him a ticket to contest the upcoming council elections. This is probably the first time a sitting head- CEM of GHADC has been denied a party ticket.
The NPP has nominated Calis G Momin, youngest son of former Deputy Chief Minister Late Lotsing A Sangma, to be the official candidate for the Siju constituency in South Garo Hills.
What brought about the decision of the party to deny a senior leader of the NPP a contest remains a million dollar question. But, party insiders told The Meghalayan Express that a detailed analysis at the grassroot level in Siju indicated voter fatigue towards their elected representative and apprehensive of a voter swing away from the party it was decided to put up a new face.
“By entering the fray Calis will prove to be immensely beneficial for the party and the people of Siju. His late father Lotsing A Sangma was loved by the people for his strong connections with the people,” said a party worker recalling the late leader’s multiple victories from Baghmara assembly seat which includes Siju MDC constituency .
The NPP has announced its first list of party candidates for the ensuing GHADC elections with the names of four sitting MLAs finding a berth, and six MDCs in the current house managing to find a spot in the party list. The names of party candidates for the five remaining constituencies are yet to be announced.
The NPP has named retired Meghalaya Civil Services Officer Charmingstar N Sangma for the prestigious Tura constituency. He will be taking on current BJP MDC Bernard N Marak.
Sitting Mahendraganj MLA and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s brother in law Sanjay A Sangma is among the four sitting MLAs to be selected for contesting the upcoming elections to the GHADC. Sanjay A Sangma is the MLA of Mahendraganj. He defeated former chief minister Mukul M Sangma’s wife Dikkanchi D Shira in 2023 assembly elections.
Sanjay Sangma has been selected by the ruling party NPP to contest from the Zikzak MDC constituency
Zikzak is currently held by a sitting Non tribal MDC and forms part of Mahendraganj assembly constituency.
Sitting Chokpot MDC Sengchim M Sangma has been named as the party candidate for Gasuapara MDC constituency in South Garo Hills, while sitting MLA of Selsella Arbinstone B Marak is the candidate for Rochonpara MDC seat.
Bajengdoba MLA Pongseng R Marak has been named party candidate from Bolsong MDC constituency in North Garo Hills.
A Congress MDC, Sanjay Koch, who won from Betasing constituency in South West Garo Hills and later crossed over to the Trinamool Congress before joining the NPP is also named in the list of party candidates.
Two sitting MDCs, who also happens to be brothers in law of the chief minister, Anseng A Sangma and Grahambell A Sangma, have also been retained as party candidates for Asanang and Jengjal constituencies.
Former MLA of Songsak, Nihim D Shira, who was defeated by Mukul M Sangma will be the party candidate from Samandagre constituency in East Garo Hills.
There are two former MDCs Dolly K Sangma and Mody M Sangma, who have been selected by the party to contest from Damas and Kharkutta, respectively.
