Parties expect good show in GH polls

SHILLONG: Political parties are positive about the outcome of the GHADC polls held on Monday.
Congress working president and senior Cabinet minister Deborah Marak said the outcome of the polls will be positive for the party. “Since there is no alternate party in Garo Hills we will do well despite disturbances from various quarters,” Marak said.
The Congress had fielded candidates in all the 29 constituencies.
The BJP also said the party will open its account in the GHADC polls as the party candidates were hoping for victory in Betasing under Ampati (constituency of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma) and Zikzak under Mahendraganj (constituency of Dikkanchi D Shira wife of the chief minister).
The BJP had put up candidates only in six constituencies out of the total 29.
BJP general secretary Dipayan Chakraborty alleged that though the Congress resorted to money and muscle power, the party candidates will emerge victorious in the polls. “The dynamics of politics will change after the GHADC polls,” he said.
The UDP, however, said that with the onslaught of bandh in Garo Hills, there is less percentage of voters’ turn out. While the impact of the bandh was more visible in the hills, there was high turnout in the plains which is a worrisome factor, he said.  UDP leader Allan Dkhar, however, hoped that the party would be able to secure 4 to 5 seats out of the total 16 constituencies in which it had put up candidates.