JOWAI: The two districts of Jaintia Hills is set to witness intensive canvassing, war of words among candidates, high-decibel promises and frenzied political activities in the next two months.
There are seven constituencies in Jaintia Hills and prominent names are in the fray for almost all the seats. Both ticket aspirants and the already chosen ones have started their groundwork and going from door to door seeking support.
In the prestigious Jowai constituency represented by Roytre Christopher Laloo, there will be a square fight between new JHADC chief Awhoi Andrew Shullai (Congress), Jowai South MDC Moonlight Pariat (UDP), and Sniawbhalang Dhar’s brother in-law Wailad Shylla (NPP).
Laloo has decided not to contest the 2018 elections and project Andrew Shullai. Former MLA Singh Mulieh and his nephew and UDP’s JHADC MDC Marki Mulieh, both of whom hve joined BJP, will fight for BJP ticket.Sniawbhalang is likely to be NPP’s candidate from Nartiang. The former minister will face challenge from retired IAS officer Jopthiaw Lyngdoh (Congress), former MDC Marbud Kyndiah, former Khanduli MLA Draison Kharshiing, who is UDP’s likely candidate, and Innocent Shadap of KHNAM.
Khliehriat will witness a triangular fight between Independent MLA Justine Dkhar, who will join either BJP or NPP after the Assembly session, the lone lady MDC Violet Lyngdoh, sister of the BJP State President, who has left UDP and joined BJP.
The UDP has already declared Kyrmen Shylla, son of former MDC Kor Sympli of Deinshynrum village, as its candidate.
Triangular contest is also likely in Amlarem among MLA Stephanson Mukhim, who will join NPP, former legislator RL Tariang, who left UDP for BJP, and former MLA Lahkmen Rymbai who is likely to quit the Congress for UDP. The people of Raliang will vote for Comingone Ymbon though he has Lakhon Biam of Nangbah village as a strong contender. Biam has recently resigned from the post of assistant executive engineer, NEC, East Jaintia Hills, to contest the polls. He has joined BJP and he is expecting ticket.
However, Biam too faces another strong contender, Konstan Sungoh of UDP, from his village. JHADC MDC from Nongkhlieh Richard Singh Lyngdoh will also contest from the same constituency.
In Sutnga, Hopeful Bamon from NPP, former PHE Minister Shitlang Pale, a known loyalist of Mukul Sangma from the Congress, and former JHADC chief Hambertus Nongtdu from BJP are the likely warriors.
HSPDP will have Defender Pakem of Mulait village as their candidate. There are many other aspirants, including Skin Dkhar of Lumshnong, from the constituency.
From Mowkaiaw- many aspirant candidates are contesting this time. Sitting MLA, Robinus Syngkon is looking for BJP tickets despite former MLA, ECB Bamon has left NCP to joined BJP earlier that Syngkon. UDP will have Nujor Sungoh- the son of former MLA, Mihsalan Suchiang and the NPP has already declared former JHDCC President as the candidate of the party. Nehimayah Tyngkan of Iooksi village also will contest either as Independent candidate or from HSPDP or from KHNAM he is yet to decide.
