JOWAI: The results of the election to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) declared on Thursday proved to be a setback for as many as 13 sitting MDCs including veteran politician and JHADC Chairman Obil Kyndait who lost to 29-year-old Laski Rymbai, a political greenhorn, from 21- Tuber constituency, while former CEM Hambertus Nongtdu of the Congress lost to Violet Lyngdoh of the UDP in a historic verdict for the JHADC making her the first woman candidate ever to make it to the JHADC.
Another former CEM Lamdibok Sumer also lost the election to sitting legislator from Amlarem, Stephanson Mukhim.
Ten other sitting MDCs who suffered defeats included JU Nongrum (Congress) from Jowai North, Dunno Nongpluh (Congress) from Jowai South, Seiborlang Shadap (Independent) from Sutnga- Narwan, MS Tyngkra (Independent) from Narpuh, Sunday Morning Suna (Independent) from Mukhla Wahiajer, Bhawan Shyrmang (Congress) from Saphai, Celius Biam (Congress) from Nongbah, Wanbiang Shadap Manar (Congress) from Muthlong- Sohkymphor, Newanly Lamare (Independent) from Raliang and Brington Shylla (Congress) from Shilliang- Myntang.
Former JHADC CEM, Lamdibok Sumer lost to sitting legislator Stephanson Mukhim by a margin of only 11 votes. Mukhim secured 2191 votes while 2180 votes were cast in favour of Sumer.
Another former CEM and sitting MDC Hambertus Nongtdu lost to Violet Lyngdoh by 48 votes.
It was a dismal performance by JHADC Chairman Obil Kyndait in Tuber as he secured only 884 votes to feature in the bottom of the list from among four contestants. The seat was won by Lasky Rymbai of the UDP who polled 1744 votes.
Moonlight Pariat of the UDP also retained his Jowai South seat, making it to the JHADC for the fourth time with a margin of 2122 votes sitting MDC Dunno Nongpluh of the Congress.
Among others who managed to win their second term as MDC were KM Lyttan from Shangpung, Rio Sten from Borato Mukhroh, former Sumer MDC Richard Singh Lyngdoh from Sutnga- Nongkhlieh, Hollando Lamin from War Central and former MLA RL Tariang from War Central.
Suklang Shylla, a former police officer who left his job by taking voluntarily pension, was elected from Nongjngi seat.
Former MDC from Nangbah, Shemhok Garod who lost the election in 2009 by 6 votes was elected again to represent the Nangbah seat. Garod defeated sitting Congress MDC, Celius Biam by a huge margin of 2738 votes, the highest margin of victory in the JHADC. Independent candidate from Muthlong, Shkemhok Suchiang defeated sitting MDC Wanbiang Shadap. Another Independent candidate Rudaioo Tang defeated sitting MDC Brington Shylla of the Congress in Shilliang-Myntang.
In East Jaintia Hills, the Congress won 5 seats, while UDP and Independents bagged two apiece. Deasous Pohshna (Congress) defeated sitting MDC MS Tyngkra from Narpuh, nominated MDC Phillip Tangliang won from Sumer, sitting MDC Arborhima Darnei was victorious in Saipung, Hopingstone Bareh in Sutnga-Narwan, sitting MDC Joinriwel Pyrtuh from Bataw-Lakadong, all Congressmen, were elected as members of the JHADC, beside Phasmon Dkhar and sitting Richard Singh Lyngdoh from Sutnga Nongkhlieh, both Independent candidates.
Congress candidate Michael Nongtdu who contested from the home constituency of Lok Sabha member from Shillong, Vincent H Pala, was defeated in Sutnga Nongkhlieh constituency.