CM optimistic about Tura outcome

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Monday sounded optimistic about his party’s prospects in the May 16 Tura by-poll saying Congress will launch vigorous campaign to win the prestigious Lok Sabha seat.
“Congress will campaign to win the seat because ours is a commitment to serve the people,” Sangma told reporters on the sidelines of a function held in the city on Monday.
The Chief Minister’s  wife, Dikkanchi D Shira is the Congress candidate and will lock horns with the National People Party (NPP) national president Conrad K Sangma, who is making effort to retain the seat represented by his late father.
“We will work hard to win the seat,” Mukul said while informing he would finalize the campaign schedule shortly.
The bye- polls is necessitated following the passing away of former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno Agitok Sangma on March 4 last.
CEO visit: The Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor will visit Garo Hills shortly to assess the poll preparedness.
Informing this, Kharkongor said that as per the initial assessment several areas in Garo Hills had been marked as sensitive and hyper sensitive.
Though the state government had sought deployment of more than 30 companies of central para military forces last week, the Centre is yet to give its commitment on the matter.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that there will be intensive patrolling by the security forces  besides area domination to ensure that the by election is  held peacefully.   In addition, flying squads will be deployed as part of monitoring mechanism.
It is learnt that the Election Commission is in the process of finalizing the names of the  general observers and  other officials who  will keep a tab in the entire poll process. The counting of the votes will take place on May 19.