By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Small political parties are gearing up to make a difference and give their big brothers run for their money in the upcoming Assembly elections.
One such small political party is Garo National Council (GNC), which has so far decided to field candidates five constituencies of Garo Hills.
Informing this here on Wednesday, the GNC president Clifford Marak said he would be contesting from Chokpot from where he had won on several occasions.
Marak was defeated from Chokpot in the last two Assembly elections.
Other GNC candidates are Lington N Marak (Baghmara), Bllison D Sangma, (Dalu) Heni Sing Sangma (North Tura) and Mackenson Marak (Gambigre).
The GNC leader said the party was expecting to win at least three to four seats.
Similarly, the KHNAM president Pyndapborthiaw Saiborne has indicated that his party is contemplating to contest from at least ten Assembly constituencies in Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
According to him, the party would announce its second list of candidates within the third week of January. The KHNAM has so far announced the name of candidates for three constituencies including Saiborne from Mawlai constituency, KHNAM sitting MDC and party general secretary Adelbert Nongrum from Shillong North and Handar Wanniang from Mawkyrwat constituency.
Meanwhile, HSPDP spokesperson G Nonglong said the party is planning to field candidates in all the 36 constituencies of Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
He said that the party was expecting to win maximum number of seats in West Khasi Hills. “We are expecting to win quite a number of seats in other parts of Khasi and Jaintia Hills,” he added.
The HSPDP has so far announced candidates for eight constituencies. HSPDP supremo Hoping Stone Lyngdoh will seek re-election from Nongstoin.
Other HSPDP candidates are Enbin K Raswai (Mawkyrwat), KP Pangniang (Rambrai Jyrngam), Witting Mawsor (Mawshynrut), Rangsyndor Syiem (Ranikor) Matsing Nongrum (Sohra), Pascal Lyngkhoi (Nongpoh) and Dr Fenela Lyngdoh Nonglait (Mawthadraishan).
Meanwhile, MDP, which was wiped out in the 2008 Assembly election, has announced candidate for Mawkynrew constituency only. MDP president Martle M Mukhim would be contesting from this constituency.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) has already called for application of candidates, whereas Trinamool Congress, after the initial plan to contest the elections, is yet to announce their action plan.