Two MDCs accused of embezzlement bite the dust
Two sitting Congress MDCs who were identified through RTI findings of having siphoned off lakhs of rupees in Council schemes in their respective constituencies have been defeated in this election.
Barengapara MDC Silgra Marak, who despite being accused of corruption was given the Congress party ticket to contest this time, was defeated overwhelmingly by Independent Kurosh M Marak.
Similarly, sitting Congress MDC from Wagesik constituency in South Garo Hills, Freederson N Sangma, despite the financial scam and being the Congress candidate lost to the NPP candidate Sengnal N Sangma.
Champion’s brother victorious
Brilliant Sangma, brother of jailed GNLA chairman Champion Sangma, has won from Samandagre on NPP ticket by defeating his next rival Lahitson Sangma of the Congress.
However, luck did not favour former ANVC-B chairman Bernard Marak as he came only in the third position in the race for the Tura seat.
Two non tribals secure wins
Despite opposition from several quarters against the participation of non tribals in the GHADC polls, two non tribals were elected to the Council.
In Shyamnagar constituency, S.G. Esmatur Mominul defeated Congress candidate Sader Hossain while in Balachanda, Independent candidate Sofiur Rahman defeated Monirum Islam of the Congress.
Non Garos who won include Nripendra Koch (Congress) from Betasing and Bhupendra Hajong (BJP) from Zikzak.
Nail biting contest in Tura
The result of Tura seat which was counted last due to security reasons saw change of margin of the contesting candidates before Independent candidate Rupert M Sangma finally emerged the winner.
Though the counting elsewhere in Garo Hills started at 8 am, the vote count was delayed in Tura seat to ensure law and order.
At one time, Independent candidate Arlene Sangma had the lead, but it was changed later with NPP candidate Jimmy Momin getting an edge, and later Dulal Sangma of the Congress got into the lead.
Ultimately, Rupert emerged victorious after defeating Dulal with a margin of 164 votes.
Highest and lowest margins
Congress candidate Sadhia Rani M Sangma, wife of Cabinet Minister Zenith Sangma, secured the highest margin of victory by defeating Independent Sanjip T Sangma by 4094 votes in Dengnakpara constituency.
Victorious Independent candidate Levastone T Sangma defeated NPP’s Grahambell A Sangma by only 46 votes, the narrowest of margins.
The former policeman from the MLP battalion’s band party secured 4135 votes against Grahambell’s 4089 votes from Jengjal constituency in West Garo Hills. Sitting Congress MDC and GHADC Chairman Purno K Sangma had to settle for third place.
MLAs, ministers taste defeat
NCP MLA from Mendipathar, Marthon Sangma’s wife Jingje D Shira contested on a Congress ticket from Damas constituency but lost to NPP’s Dolly K Sangma by a margin of 3440 votes.
Another MLA to witness defeat was Power Minister Clement Marak’s whose nephew Malcolm Sangma fought on a Congress ticket but lost to NPP’s Dipul Marak by 492 votes in Rochonpara constituency.
So was the fate for another MLA, NPP’s James Pangsang K Sangma of Dadenggre. His brother-in-law also the son-in-law of veteran Purno A Sangma, Grahambell A Sangma, lost to retired police band master Levastone T Sangma by 46 votes only in Jengjal constituency.