Our Bureau
NEW DELHI/SHILLONG: The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on Sunday sprang surprises by not allotting party tickets to Community and Rural Development Minister Saleng Sangma and sitting Congress legislators Samuel Sangma, Abdus Saleh, Nehlang Lyngdoh and Stanly Wiss Rymbai.
The final list of the Congress candidates was released by AICC general secretary Oscar Fernandes on Sunday night.
Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, who is contesting from Ampati, managed to rope in his wife Dikkanchi D Shira (Mahendraganj) and his brother Zenith Sangma (Rangsakona) to contest the polls.
David H Nongrum (Mawryngkneng), son of Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope did not get the party ticket. The Speaker will contest from Nongthymmai.
The controversies regarding the ticket allotments are bound to recur in the run up to the Assembly elections.
In the tussle for ticket, Congress legislator Sayeedullah Nongrum, who had been camping in Delhi, managed to score over his rival Abdus Saleh to contest the Rajabala seat. In the predictable line, Umroi seat went to Ngaitlang Dhar.
Despite differences over the Pynursla seat, Forest Minister Prestone Tynsong secured the party ticket, though the name of former Minister KK Dkhar was doing the rounds.
While sitting legislator Friday Lyngdoh, who chose not to contest the elections, was replaced by Roshan Warjri (North Shillong), another Congress legislator from Garo Hills, Augustine Marak did not apply for party ticket.
The names of new entrants in the Congress list cleared by the AICC include Independent legislators Manas Chaudhuri (Shillong South), AT Mondal (Phulbari) and Limison Sangma (Raksamgre).
The name of another Independent legislator, Ismail Marak, did not figure in the Congress list.
While suspended NCP legislator, Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak will contest from Bajengdoba on a Congress ticket, former HSPDP legislator Adviser Pariong got the party ticket from Nongstoin.
Boldness Nongum secured the party ticket from Mawthadraishan while Eureka FP Lyngdoh will contest from Mairang. Drosing Khongjoh secured the party ticket from Mawkynrew while Methodius Dkhar was nominated as the party candidate from Mawshynrut.
Prominent among those who got the party tickets include MPCC president DD Lapang (Nongpoh), Dr RC Laloo (Jowai), Ampareen Lyngdoh (Shillong East), Shitlang Pale (Sutnga-Saipung) and HDR Lyngdoh (Sohiong), Amos Dkhar (Khliehriat), Lahkmen Rymbui (Amlarem),
PW Muktieh (Mawhati), Dr Celestine Lyngdoh (Umsning), AL Hek ( Pynthorumkhrah), Founder S Cajee (Mawlai), Mohendro Rapsang (Shillong West), Ronnie V Lyngdoh (Mylliem), Lambor Malngiang (Nongkrem), PN Syiem (Mawsynram), Dr PW Khongjee (Sohra), MM Danggo (Ranikor), Rowell Lyngdoh (Mawkyrwat), FW Momin (Mendipathar), former Chief Minister SC Marak (Resubelpara), Deborah C Marak (Williamnagar), PK Sangma (Dadenggre), Billykid Sangma (Tura South) and Francis Pondit Sangma (Rangara Siju).
