Constituency watch
From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: The inside battle in the Congress for party ticket for the newly-constituted 33-Rambrai-Jyrngam (ST) Assembly constituency in West Khasi Hills has heated up with five persons reportedly in the fray for the battle of electorates.
The five aspirants are JTS Thongni, ex MDC of Rambrai, West Khasi Hills, Kimfa Marbaniang, businessman, Dr Jova C Marak, Asst Professor NEHU, Tura Campus , Nasstar Kharlyngdoh, businessman and Kingford Kharsyntiew, businessman.
Out of the five, observers have indicated that Dr Jova C Marak seems to be the most serious contender for the party ticket. The observers have indicated that Dr Marak was not only qualified but also has the capacity to influence a large number of voters.
Being from the Garo community, the Congress could do very well to give her the party ticket as the Rambrai-Jyrngam constituency has a 9,300-strong Garo vote bank which could ultimately prove decisive for the party.
However, a veteran Congress leader from West Khasi Hills, on condition of anonymity, has warned of a split in the Congress workers if the party decides to issue the ticket to Dr Marak.
Incidentally, the choice of candidate may not be the biggest worry for the Congress party as far as Rambrai-Jyrngam seat is concerned.
The Congress is set to be strongly challenged by the HSPDP which has a strong presence in the area and a strong contestant in KP Pangniang, sitting MDC from Rambrai.
It may be added here that politics veteran and HSPDP supremo Hoping Stone Lyngdoh had a huge support base in Rambrai but after the delimitation of constituencies he has lost a large chunk of HSPDP supporters from the area. However, this turn of event has proved to be a blessing in disguise for Pangniang who is the party candidate for Rambrai-Jyrngam seat.
HSPDP supporters who had earlier voted for Lyngdoh would now invariably shift their allegiance to Pangniang making him a hot favourite to win the seat in the upcoming election.
Amidst the political game for Rambrai-Jyrngam, the public are now faced with the arduous task of choosing the best representative from amongst the many who are seeking their fortunes.
Being close to the volatile Meghalaya-Assam border, the Rambrai-Jyrngam Assembly constituency is of strategic importance, making it all the more necessary for the electorates of the area to choose someone who is farsighted and visionary and one who can deliver the needful to the people at the grassroots level.