Dist admin gears up for Nongstoin by-poll
SHILLONG/NONGSTOIN: Preparations for the November 21 Nongstoin by-poll is going in full swing even as the candidates are trying their best to turn the table in their favour.
Chief Electoral Officer P Naik on Wednesday said that the election department had sought two additional companies of Central para-military forces for smooth conduct of the poll and the approval in this regard has already been issued.
The by-election was necessitated following the death of sitting legislator Hoping Stone Lyngdoh on September 26.
General and expenditure observers have also already been deployed in the constituency, he said adding that nodal officers from the IT department were supervising the entire election process.
Altogether our candidates are in the fray.
CM campaigns for Gabriel Wahlang: With the countdown beginning for Nongstoin by-poll scheduled for Saturday, Chief Minister Mukul M Sangma harped on change and development for Nongstoin while addressing an election rally here on Wednesday for the party candidate Gabriel Wahlang.
Addressing the party supporters during the election campaign at Nongstoin market, Sangma said,”Vote for Gabriel for change and development”.
While mentioning that the state lost HS Lyngdoh, one of the senior leaders of the state representing Nongstoin, Sangma said that the by-election will see the emergence of a new leader to connect the people of Nongstoin with the Government.
Sangma assured that if Gabriel is elected, Nongstoin, the headquarters of West Khasi Hills, will see a lot of changes in terms of development activities since Nongstoin has been termed as backward place.
According to Sangma, the he was committed to fulfill any demand of the people of Nongstoin since his government was described as a responsive government.
“Ensure the victory of our candidate and tell me what you want to do for Nongstoin and what you want the Government to do for you” Sangma said.
According to the Chief Minister, since there is already a Congress led government, there is no scope for other political parties to form the government after the Nongsotin by poll.
He also said that since the present government is responsive to various demands, the people of Nongstoin should take advantage of the remaining two years, so that the Government which is free from debt could do whatever it can to change Nongstoin.
“I want to offer myself, my candidate, my party and my Government as yours so that you can utilize Wahlang once elected to transform your constituency of Nongstoin and West Khasi Hills as a whole” Sangma said.
Referring to the ban on coal mining which has also affected West Khasi Hills, the Chief Minister told the gathering that while the subject matter belongs to NGT, the state government has already submitted the mining plan to ensure that people can carry on with the mining activities after the approval of the mining policy from the Centre.
With the issues related to Village Administration Bill still pending, the Chief Minister lauded the effort of Hima Nongstoin for making its own Act and Rule as the VAB framed by KHADC is not applicable in Nongstoin.