From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: The All India Congress Committee observers, who are in the State, on Wednesday met scores of ticket aspirants vying for the same seats and other top leaders including Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma and the MPCC chief DD Lapang.
Interestingly, out of four observers only one is in Shillong to meet the ticket aspirants from Khasi-Jaintia Hills and the rest are in Garo Hills.
Indications are that the party is facing the problem of ‘multiple choice’ in almost all the constituencies Garo Hills. The same is not the case as far as Khasi-Jainita Hills is concerned. Moreover, the number of seats is less in Garo Hills.
Haren Das, Secretary of Assam Pradesh Congress Committee, has been assigned to sort out the problem in controversial constituencies of Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
Shella, Pynursla, Mawryngkneng, Umroi, Umsning, Khliehriat, Mawkynrew are some of the constituencies in Khasi -Jaintia Hills and Ri-Bhoi where there are more than one candidate vying for party ticket.
Sources said that the State Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope, who is keen to field his son David Nongrum, met Das more than once.
Incidentally in his own seat (Nongthymmai), Pyngrope has no other claimant and it will be a cake-walk for his nomination even though his son faces very stiff contest.
The other tough job for the observers will be Rajabala where former Cabinet Minister Sayeedullah Nongrum is trying for a hat-trick. He is facing a stiff challenge from Abdus Saleh, who is believed to have the blessings of the Chief Minister.
The three observers who have been assigned in Garo hills are Anwar Hussain , Karendu Bhattacharya and Dulal Ghosh .
The observers, all from Assam, will submit their report to the party which will place the same to the yet-to-be-formed screening committee of the AICC.