SHILLONG: In a huge setback, two sitting legislators – Remington Pyngrope from Mawkynrew and Titosstarwell Chyne from Sohra – suffered defeats in the district council election to the KHADC, results of which were announced on Thursday.
Pyngrope, the Deputy CEM of the KHADC and the sitting UDP MDC lost to Congress candidate Banteidor Lyngdoh by a margin of 911 votes.
Pyngrope polled the third highest votes from among four candidates in the fray and was behind HSPDP candidate and former MLA Martle N Mukhim who secured 6675 votes compared to 6452 votes polled by Pyngrope.
UDP’s Chyne lost to Congress candidate Donevan Wahlang by a margin of 1578 votes.
Three sitting MDCs including former Deputy CEM Lambor Malngiang (Nongkrem), Ostril Pamshong (Mawhati) and Marbok Kharpran (Sohryngkham) also lost the election. Malngiang lost to HSPDP legislator Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit in Nongkrem constituency by a margin of 2527 votes, while Pamshong was defeated by former HNLC member and Independent candidate James Sylliang by a margin of 2423 votes.
Kharpran lost to HSPDP’s Pyniaid Sing Syiem by a huge margin of 4232 votes.
Seven sitting legislators – HDR Lyngdoh (Congress) from Sohiong, Pynshngain N Syiem (Congress) from Mawsynram, Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit (HSPDP) from Nongkrem, Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP) from Mairang, Sanbor Shullai (NCP) from Laban- Mawprem, KP Pangngiang (HSPDP) from Rambrai-Jyrngam and Brolding Nongsiej (UDP) from Mawthadraishan-Pariong – managed victories.
Among the Executive Members of the KHADC Executive Committee who won the election include -Antonio War from Laitumkhrah-Malki, Jansing Tynsong from Lyngkyrdem-Laitkroh, Lamphrang Blah from Mawphlang- Diengiei, all from the Congress and also Teiwnell Dkhar (UDP) from Shella and Goodleaderson Nongsiej (HSPDP) from Nongstoin.
Sitting MDCs who won the election include former KHADC CEM Manstudy Nongrem (Congress) from Langrin and Latiplang Kharkongor from Nongthymmai, Adelbert Nongrum from Jaiaw and James Ban Basaiawmoit from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, all from KHNAM.
Among the women candidates who returned to the KHADC are Teilinia Thangkhiew and Grace Mary Kharpuri (both HSPDP) from Mylliem and Nongshken constituencies respectively.
Rona Khymdeit of the UDP won from Nongpoh to make it to the KHADC for the first time, and in the process doling out a setback for the Congress in the constituency which is the home constituency of MPCC chief and former Chief Minister DD Lapang.
Interestingly, former Mawlai legislator Process T Sawkmie (KHNAM) won from Mawlai constituency.
This is the first time that Sawkmie would be representing the constituency as an MDC after having represented Mawlai as a legislator for two terms.