By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Nearly half of the sitting legislators of the State were defeated in the Assembly polls including Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong, Opposition leader Conrad K Sangma and Assembly Speaker Charles Pyngrope.
Lanong who lost the poll battle from Shillong East to Congress candidate Ampareen Lyngdoh said that he respected the verdict given by the people of the constituency.
“Definitely, it is a great surprise to be defeated by such a huge margin. But I accepted the will of the people,” Lanong said while speaking to The Shillong Times over the phone after losing by a margin of 5084 votes.
“It is easier to know what is there beyond the globe, but it is really difficult to gauge the minds of the people at the time of election,” Lanong stated.
Conrad Sangma, who was defeated by Congress candidate Clement R Marak by 2107 votes from Selsella constituency, said that he was still trying to come to terms with the loss.
“The result has come as a huge shock. Most of the Congress candidates were behind in the race, but the results showed otherwise,” he said while also informing that the NPP would make a detailed analysis on the party’s disappointing performance.
Charles Pyngrope, who was defeated by UDP candidate Jemino Mawthoh by 1137 votes from Nongthymmai constituency, said that though he had lost, his son’s win from his own constituency (Mawryngkneng) was a matter of joy for him. Meanwhile, UDP candidate John Antonius Lyngdoh, who lost from Mawphlang, said that ‘money power’ had led to his defeat.
Lyngdoh, a Cabinet Minister, was defeated by Congress candidate Kennedy C Khyriem by a margin of 3344 votes.
Other sitting legislators who were defeated included ECB Bamon (Mowkaiaw), Shitlang Pale (Sutnga-Saipung), Lakhmen Rymbui (Amlarem), Donbok Khymdeit (Mawhati), Stanly Wis Rymbai (Umroi), Founder Strong Cajee (Mawlai), Manas Chaudhuri (Shillong South), Dr PW Khongjee (Sohra), Donkupar Massar (Pynursla), Dr Adviser Pariong (Nongstoin) Omillo K Sangma (Kharkutta), Frankenstein W Momin (Mendipathar), Timothy D Shira (Resubelpara), John Manner Marak (Bajengdoba), Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak (Bajengdoba), Desang M Sangma (Rongjeng), Marcuise N Marak (Williamnagar), Augustine D Marak (Raksamgre), Sayeedullah Nongrum and Abdus Saleh (both from Rajabala), Ismail R Marak (Dadenggre), Nimarson Momin (Mahendraganj), Phillipole D Marak (Chokpot) Satto R Marak and Francis Pondit R Sangma (both from Rongara-Siju).