From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: Candidates of the Indian National Congress (INC) are facing a tough challenge from Independent candidates in almost all the all seven Assembly Constituencies (AC) in Jaintia hills District.
This time the regional parties – UDP, HSPDP and NPP seem to have lost their plot. Independent candidates are making a strong pitch and going by the campaign tenor, some of the Independent candidates are expected to support the Congress if they win their seats.
In 1-Nartiang Assembly Constituency (AC), out of three constants in the fray, sitting MLA, Sniawbhalang Dhar of Congress is facing a straight fight with Independent candidate, Hillarius Dkhar, MDC of Moobakhon-Khanduli . The lone woman contestant of Jaintia hills, Veecare Nichia Lamare of BJP is also contesting from this constituency. Most people in this constituency seem to favour the sitting MLA and Congress candidate to represent them for another term.
In the prestigious 2- Jowai AC, sitting MLA, Dr RC Laloo is pitted against his brother-in-law the Independent Candidate, Moonlight Pariat who is also a member of the JHADC. Four candidates are in the fray including former MLA, Sing Mulieh and a new-face, Heimon Hinge. Although it looks like do or die battle for Laloo to retain the Jowai seat, people of Jowai seem to believe that Laloo is still their best bet.
There are 5 candidates in the fray from 3-Raliang Constituency which is the highest in Jaintia Hills. Coming One Ymbom of the Congress (INC) is pitted against the UDP candidate, Konstan Sungoh. Three other candidates contesting from Raliang are Gerald Pasi (HSPDP), Emboklang Dhar (IND) and Mihnyngkong Sutnga (NPP). Here too the Congress sitting MLA is expected to return.
In the 4-Mowkaiaw constituency-JHADC Deputy Chief, Qually Suiam of Congress is fighting a tri-angular battle with Independent candidate, former District Transport officer, Robinus Syngkon and NPP candidate ECB Bamon. Former MLA, Mihsalan Suchiang is also contesting from this constituency. Both Suiam and Syngkon are roughing it out. But finally one of the two veterans ECB Bamon or Mihsalan Suchiang is expected to carry the trophy.
A close fight between Independent candidate, Hopeful Bamon and sitting Congress MLA, Shitlang Pale is evident in Sutnga-Saipung AC. Going by the trends it appears that Hopeful Bamon might just make it to the winners list. However, UDP candidate Mongulsing Tyngkra is also emerging as a strong contender. Its anybody’s game here.
In the 6-Khliehriat AC, Congress candidate Amos Dkhar is pitted against Justine Dkhar (IND). However, JHADC Chairman, Obil Kyndait of UDP and a new face in Jaintia Hills politics Fineliness Bareh is also giving a tough fight. For now its hard to say who will represent the coal rich Khliehriat Constituency.
7-Amlarem AC is witnessing a tri-angular fight although there are four candidates in the fray- sitting MLA, Lahkmen Rymbui (INC), former MLA, RL Tariang (UDP), War West MDC, Stephan Mukhim and Jowai South MDC, Dunno Nongpluh. The fight seems to be between Rymbui, Tariang and Mukhim with Rymbui most likely to return.