From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Methodious Dkhar emerged as the frontrunner in the race for the Congress ticket in Mawshynrut whereas Nestingdar Nongdkhar is the preferred choice in Nongstoin following meetings conducted by the election observers from the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) in the two Assembly constituencies of West Khasi Hills.
The election observers were deployed to announce the names of the probable candidates in the Assembly constituencies of the district.
Election observers Marbon Mawroh, secretary of the MPCC and Lambok Nongrang, president of the Mairang Block Congress Committee held a meeting chaired by Brick Marwein, vice president Nongstoin Block Congress Committee and attended by party members at the Congress Bhawan in Nongstoin. Among the three applicants who had applied for the Congress candidature from the constituency, Nestingdar Nongdkhar’s name was put forward as the first preference followed by David Marwein and Bestar K Bani as desired by the supporters.
In the meeting, the members of the Congress also made it very clear that the names were in order of the people’s choice and that if any other candidate was given the ticket, the party would ultimately stand to lose in the constituency. The observers reciprocated by saying that only one of the three candidates had the potential to defeat the “Grand Old Man” of Nongstoin, Hopingstone Lyngdoh.
Meanwhile, an open voting followed the meeting with the observers in which Methodious Dkhar emerged as the frontrunner for the party ticket after securing 70 per cent votes. He was followed by Srally Rashir (30 %) and Pelcy Snaitang (20%). Two other ticket aspirants Robert Dkhar and J Kharbhih failed to get any votes.
Election observers Stomding Thongni, ex-MDC Rambrai and Dada War, president of the State Mahila Congress said that they would place the people’s mandate before the MPCC and convey the same to the party chief.
People present in the meeting said that Methodious Dkhar being a local would understand the problems faced in the region.
All the five candidates, however, expressed their commitment towards the party irrespective of the decision.