From Our Correspondent
NONGSTOIN: Mawshynrut AC in West Khasi Hills with the total number of 25,729 electorates would witness a multi-cornered contest with as many as twelve candidates in the fray for the February 23 Assembly election.
Out of the twelve candidates, five are being fielded by their respective political parties while seven others are contesting as Independents. The candidates include some heavyweight political leaders including Methodious Dkhar (Congress), Witting Mawsor (HSPDP), Shimbor Diengngan (NPP), FK Ryntathiang (UDP), R Marak (BJP), Pelcy Snaitang (IND), Roland Mawsor (IND), Jostick Hashah (IND), Eugene Kharlukhi (IND), Envil Lyngdoh (IND), Tonington Tyrsa (IND) and Levis Sangma (IND).
While the area has a substantial Garo population, there are only two Garo candidates – R Marak from the BJP and Levis Sangma who is an Independent.
Pelcy Snaitang, a previous contender for the Congress ticket, is now trying her luck as an Independent. FK Ryntathiang is the incumbent MDC of the area. Eugene Kharlukhi had contested the 2009 MDC election from the same constituency on an HSPDP ticket and had secured the second highest number of votes.
Political analysts say that with such a large number of candidates in the fray, a candidate would require just about 4000 votes to seal his/her victory.
It may be mentioned that Francis Pondit Sangma, the incumbent MLA, had earlier decided to contest from Rongwara Constituency in Garo Hills. Post this announcement there was a spurt in the number of candidates willing to battle it out to represent the people of the area.
West Khasi Hills district, with total number of 1,33,551 electorates, has five constituencies – Mairang (27962 voters), Mawthadraishan (28029), Rambrai- Jyrngam (25327), Nongstoin (26565 voters) and Mawshynrut (25729 voters).