CM ‘focuses’ on NPP bastion

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is focusing on Songsak constituency, which is considered as the stronghold of the National People’s Party, sources said.
It is being speculated that Sangma will contest the 2018 elections from two seats in Garo Hills, Ampati and Songsak. However, the chief minister has neither denied nor confirmed this.
Sources in the party said Sangma has visited many areas under Songsak constituency in East Garo Hills in the past two weeks. This is indicative of his plan to contest from the two seats.
Sangma during his campaign before the Tura by-election in 2016 had stated that he would defeat the two NPP MLAs, Nihim D Shira from Songsak and James K Sangma from Dadenggre.
The Congress does not have any leader who can pose a threat to sitting legislator Nihim D Shira from Songsak.
The chief minister had recently launched the Livelihood Intervention and Facilitation of Entrepreneurship (LIFE) and Livelihood Entrepreneurship Centre at Songsak. During his address at the inauguration of LIFE, the chief minister said he would ensure that the NPP-BJP combine did not set its foot in Garo Hills as both parties “have a hidden communal agenda”.