By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Polling day in the State would prove to be crucial for as many as 16 sitting legislators since it is now obvious that at least eight of them would not be returning to the next Assembly after February 28.
The situation might turn out to be worse since there are possibilities that more sitting MLAs would not be able to make it to the House if other contestants from political parties or Independents emerge victorious.
The constituencies where two sitting legislators are contesting against each other are East Shillong (Bindo Mathew Lanong and Ampareen Lyngdoh), South Shillong (Manas Chaudhuri and Sanbor Shullai), Pynursla (Prestone Tynsong and Donkupar Massar), Nongstoin (Dr Adviser Pariong and Hoping Stone Lyngdoh), Bajengdoba (Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak and John Manner Marak), Raksamgre (Augustine D Sangma and Limison D Sangma), Dadenggre (James PK Sangma and Ismail R Marak) and Rongara-Siju (Francis Pondit R Sangma and Satto R Marak).
Besides these constituencies, there are many other where sitting legislators are facing tough opponents.
Delimitation of the constituencies is the one major factor which has brought about this situation where the sitting legislators have to lock horns with their Assembly colleagues.
As per reports, former Chief Minister DD Lapang is believed to be facing a tough challenge from UDP woman candidate Rona Khymdeit.
Lapang’s prospects have been marred to a certain extent due to the addition of new areas from Jirang and Mawhati to the Nongpoh constituency following the delimitation.
Sources have informed that sitting Mawhati legislator Donbok Khymdeit is campaigning in favour of the UDP candidate in areas which were earlier in Mawhati while some unconfirmed reports indicate that former Chief Minister JD Rymbai is also campaigning against Lapang in certain areas which has come to Nongpoh from the previous Jirang constituency.
Rymbai and Khymdeit’s campaign in favour of the UDP candidate could pose a serious challenge to Lapang’s victory prospect from Nongpoh.
In Shella, former Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy (UDP) is facing a tough battle against Independent candidate Grace Mary Kharpuri and Congress candidate Jropsing Nongkhlaw.
As is the case with Lapang, Dr Roy has also been largely affected by the addition of certain areas like Nongjri and Umiuh Tmar in Shella, from the previous Nongshken constituency.
As per reports, the former Chief Minister has not been able to garner much support from these news areas considering that these areas are the strong hold of Kharpuri, the sitting MDC from Nongshken.
Meanwhile, the anti-incumbency factor is also proving to be the proverbial Achilles’ heel for the former Chief Minister as he has been criticized by his opponents for the lack of development in the constituency despite Dr Roy having represented Shella for five consecutive terms.
It remains to be seen whether Dr Roy is able to overcome all obstacles in his path to a straight sixth innings in the House.
Elsewhere, Home Minister and sitting Congress legislator from Sohiong, HDR Lyngdoh, is also facing tough contest from UDP nominee Braston Kharphuli.
It is learnt that many of the areas which used to be strong hold of the Home Minister like Laitdom, Iingding and its adjoining areas, which has around 8000 plus voters, has been tagged with Mairang constituency.
Addition of new areas like Rangshken and Nongthliew into Sohiong constituency from the earlier Nongspung constituency is creating problems for Lyngdoh.
Besides, the decision of four political parties to back the UDP candidate could seriously impact the Home Minister’s chances in the election.
Closer home, sitting Pynthorumkhrah legislator AL Hek (Congress) is facing a tough battle against former Mawlai legislator and Independent candidate PT Sawkmie.
This would be the toughest test yet for Hek since around 12000 votes from those areas which were his stronghold like Oakland, RR Colony, Lawmali, Jail Road and others have moved out of the constituency following the delimitation.
Hek is also faced with the issue of the support that Sawkmie enjoys in Mawpat (around 2500 votes), earlier in Sohryngkham and now attached with Pynthorumkhrah. Mawpat is attached to Mawlai constituency in the District Council election.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and sitting Mawkyrwat legislator Rowell Lyngdoh (Congress) is also facing an arduous task of making a comeback to the House since delimitation of constituencies has also affected his prospects. Voters in many areas previously under Pariong constituency have not been attached to Mawkyrwat.
It has been informed that a major chunk of the votes from areas under the previous Pariong constituency is likely to be split between HSPDP candidate Enbin K Raswai and NPP candidate Renikton Lyngdoh.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s age is also proving to be a major concern since there is a general feeling among the voters of Mawkyrwat constituency that this time they should elect a younger candidate.
The latest trend from the constituency projects the HSPDP and NPP candidates as having a slight edge over the sitting legislator, sources said.
However, the one positive factor that might turn the tide in favour of Lyngdoh is that it was his efforts which led to the creation of the South West Khasi Hills District with Mawkyrwat as the district headquarter.
