By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The 2013 Assembly election in the State will witness the participation of as many as 13 candidates who have blood relations or are closely related to each other.
To start with, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma will have two members of his family participate in the February 23 polls. While Dr Sangma would contest from Ampati, his brother Zenith Sangma and wife Dikkanchi Shira will fight it out at Rangsakona and Mahendraganj constituencies respectively in Garo Hills on Congress tickets.
Also from Garo Hills, sitting legislators, Conrad and James Sangma will contest from Daddengre and Selsella constituencies respectively.
The Cajee brothers -Sounder and Founder Cajee- are also in fray. While Sounder is contesting as an Independent from Shillong South, his brother will fight on a Congress ticket from Mawlai.
The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope and his son David A Nongrum would also be in fray in the upcoming polls. Denied a Congress ticket from Mawryngkneng for his first election battle, Nongrum will contest as an Independent, while veteran Congressman Pyngrope will contest from Nongthymmai on a Party ticket.
The father-daughter duo of Pynshai Manik Syiem and Teilinia Thangkhiew will also sweat it out as Independent candidates in the ensuing polls.
Thangkhiew, a member of the District Council, will contest from Mylliem, while her father will battle it out at Mawphlang.
Congress candidate for Nartiang Sniawbhalang Dhar and Umroi Congress candidate Ngaitlang Dhar are brothers.
Political families :
1. Mukul Sangma, Dikkanchi, Zenith.
2. Charles Pyngrope, David Nongrum
3. Founder Cajee and Sounder Cajee
5. Conrad Sangma and James Sangma
6.Nartiang Sniawbhalang Dhar and Ngaitlang Dhar.
7. PM Syiem and Teilinia Thangkhiew