Past perfect for Congress in Shillong
SHILLONG: If past records are any guide, Congress has been retaining the Shillong Lok Sabha seat, but losing Tura. In the last three Lok Sabha polls since 1999, Shillong went in favour of Congress, but the Tura seat was secured by non-Congress candidate during the period.
On May 16 it would be known if the same results would be the outcome of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Despite the rumblings over allotment of ticket to Congress candidate Vincent Pala, who had contested and won the Shillong seat in 2004, the party is gearing up to face the contest in unison.
Multiple candidates have traditionally been in the fray in Shillong, while the number of contesting candidates in Tura have been few since 1999, giving rise to the possibility that Congress has been getting the benefit of divisions in opposition votes in Shillong.
There were several political parties which fielded their candidates in 1999 both for Shillong and Tura seats.
In 1999, the Shillong seat witnessed the contest of as many nine candidates, a record of sorts till date. In that year, Tura, too, had witnessed a multi-cornered contest.
In 1999 in Shillong, Congress candidate P R Kyndiah emerged winner after defeating his rival UDP candidate S. D.Khongwir by a margin of 37,823 votes.
While Kyndiah secured 14,50,20 votes, Khongwir got 10,71,97. In the contest, HSPDP supremo Hoping Stone Lyngdoh of HSPDP secured 40301 votes.
Others in the fray were Sounder.S.Cajee of PDM (33164), T H Rangad of BJP( 31,859), Damian Saioo (Ind. 4619 votes), Dalington Dympep (CPI, 1719 votes), Khlur Singh Lyngdoh of AJBP, 586 votes and Independent candidate Mattew.A. Lanong (391).
In Tura, PA Sangma, who contested on NCP ticket, defeated the next rival Congress candidate Atul C Marak by a margin of 113579 votes. While Sangma secured 182883 votes, Atul Marak of the Congress got 69304 votes. Others were Mohendro Agitok of BJP ( 29990 votes), Clifford Marak of GNC ( 4561 votes) and Robin Rema of CPI (2736 votes).
In 2004 elections, PR Kyndiah, who sought re-election from Shillong retained the seat with a margin of 70,896 votes after defeating his rival S.Loniak Marbaniang who contested as Independent with the support of all the regional candidates. BJP candidate Sanbor Swell Lyngdoh secured 58560 votes.
As far as Tura seat was concerned, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma (Congress) who contested against PA Sangma ( All India Trinamool Congress) in a straight contest suffered a defeat. and Purno’s winning margin was 72763 votes.
While there were nine contesting candidates in 2004, the 2009 Lok Sabha polls saw seven candidates vying for the Shillong seat.
Kyndiah, who did not contest for the third consecutive term in 2009, gave way to the new entrant Vincent Pala.
Pala was elected with a margin of 1,07,868 by defeating John Kharshiing who contested on a UDP ticket then.
While Pala got a total of 232270 votes, Kharshiing secured 124402 votes.
Others who contested were CPI candidate Dalington Dympep (6802), P.B.M Basaiawmoit of HSPDP ( 97613 votes), Martle.N.mukhim ( MDP- 8946 votes and Independent candidate Denis Siangshai (7032 votes). Another Independent candidate Teirod Passah got 3314 votes.
In Tura, the winning candidate Agatha Sangma, who contested from NCP secured a total of 154476 votes. While her opponent Deborah Marak of the Congress got 136531 votes and the winning margin was 17,945. Boston Marak of ANC(D) secured a total of 40204 votes, while Arlene N. Sangma who contested as Independent got 10976 votes.
LS poll analysis: 1999, 2004, 2009
Lok Sabha polls-1999
SHILLONG TURA
P R Kyndiah-Cong- (14,50,20 votes) PA Sangma-NCP (182883 votes)
SD Khongwir-UDP ( 10,71,97) votes. Atul.C Marak-Cong( 113579 votes)
HS Lyngdoh- HSPDP ( 40301 votes. Mohendro Agitok- BJP ( 29990 votes)
Sounder.S.Cajee – PDM (33164), Clifford Marak- GNC (4561 votes)
T H Rangad- BJP( 31,859) Robin Rema-CPI (2736 votes)
Damian Saioo-Ind ( 4619 votes),
Dalington Dympep-CPI, ( 1719 votes)
Khlur Singh Lyngdoh -AJBP ( 586 votes
Mattew.A. Lanong Ind. (391).
Lok Sabha Polls-2004
SHILLONG TURA
PR Kyndiah-Cong- (190058 votes) PA Sangma-NCP (191938 votes)
Loniak Marbaniang- Ind(119162 votes) Mukul Sangma-Cong (119175 votes)
Sanbor Swell Lyngdoh-BJP (58560votes).
Lok Sabha polls-2009
SHILLONG TURA
Vincent Pala-Cong (232270 votes) Agatha Sangma -NCP (154476 votes)
John Kharshiing -UDP( (124402 votes) Deborah Marak- Congress(136531 votes)
Dalington Dympep-CPI (6802 votes) Boston Marak -ANC(D) (40204 votes)
P.B.M Basaiawmoit-HSPDP (97613 votes) Arlene N. Sangma-Ind (10976 votes).
Martle.N.Mukhim -MDP (8946 votes)
Denis Siangshai -Ind (7032 votes)
Teirod Passah-Ind (3314 votes)
