From Our Correspondent
TURA: Sending waves of incredulity and amazement throughout the State, three Independent candidates from Garo Hills defeated two sitting legislators each in their respective constituencies in the recent Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Election 2013.
Businessman, Ashahel D Shira who contested as an Independent candidate from Rajabala constituency took on veteran politician and sitting MLA of Rajabala, Sayeedullah Nongrum (INC), who had been elected into the Assembly for three consecutive terms and Abdus Saleh, the sitting MLA of Mahendraganj, who was compelled to contest from Rajabala after being denied a Congress ticket in Mahendraganj.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Ashahel D Shira said it was a tough contest that he had to face but he is glad to have come out victorious in Rajabala which happens to be the same constituency where his grandmother, M D Shira had once been a MLA.
Meanwhile, in 58-Rongara-Siju, first time contender, Independent candidate Rophul S Marak defeated sitting MLAs Francis Pondit R Sangma (INC) and Satto R Marak (NPP).
The young politician expressed his immense delight in emerging victorious the
first time he made an entry into the political arena, where he had to lock horns with two experienced politicians and other competitive contenders.
Also in 40-Bajengdoba constituency, Brigady Marak defeated his nearest competition and sitting MLA John Manner Marak (NPP) by a slight margin and the well-known Adolf Lu Hitler (INC), sitting MLA of Rangsakhona in West Garo Hills.
Adolf Lu Hitler was given the Congress Party Ticket to contest from Bajengdoba constituency, making way for Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s brother Zenith M Sangma in Rangsakhona where he made his comeback into the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly defeating his closest rival by significant margin.
