TURA: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma filed his nomination papers on Tuesday from Ampati constituency in South West Garo Hills district even as eleven other sitting legislators joined the growing number of aspiring politicians jumping into the election fray on the second last day of nominations in the Garo Hills.
The chief minister along with his wife and sitting Mahendraganj legislator, Dikkanchi D Shira, submitted their nomination papers for Ampati and Mahendraganj constituencies, respectively, before the returning officer at the deputy commissioner’s office in Ampati.
The chief minister’s lone opponent and BJP candidate Bakul Hajong also submitted his papers for the Ampati constituency. Bakul Hajong is a former director of the Sericulture and Weaving Department.
Another Congress legislator, Winnerson D Sangma also filed his papers for Salmanpara seat on the same day in South West Garo Hills district.
In Tura, former Union Minister and NPP leader Agatha K Sangma was among the prominent candidates to file papers for the South Tura contest.
Agatha, who arrived with her mother and elder brother Conrad K Sangma, wore a traditional Garo Dakmanda with a western formal coat. She is hoping to represent the prestigious South Tura constituency that was once held by her late father Purno Agitok Sangma.
It was political bonhomie at its best as both candidates from two rival parties, Agatha Sangma of the NPP and Congress’ Grithalson Arengh greeted each other with a handshake as they came face-to-face outside the office of the returning officer during the filing of nominations.
“Response of the people is very good and the people of Meghalaya want change. I am confident that NPP will form the government and I will be part of the new government in Meghalaya”, Agatha said.
South Tura is set to witness a multi-cornered contest between BJP candidate Billykid A Sangma, sitting legislator John Leslee K Sangma of NCP, Grithalson Arengh of the Congress and Agatha K Sangma of NPP.
Refusing to underestimate her opponents, she said, “All the candidates are formidable but I believe that the people will judge and choose the best. I do not mean to demean anybody but people want someone who has realistic agenda and has a vision for Meghalaya”.
South Tura is an urban constituency having over 30,000 voters.
The former union minister of state told the media persons that the core issues on which she was seeking votes were on development of basic facilities like water, streetlight, garbage management, footpath and better educational institutes to enable a creative atmosphere for the youth.
She dismissed speculation about being a candidate for the post of chief minister stating, “I have no such aspiration but I want to work in a capacity where I am able to make a difference in the lives of our people. We have leaders with great capacity and we would arrive at a decision on chief minister’s post after the results are declared”.
Another political heavyweight and sitting South Tura legislator John Leslee K Sangma, who filed his nomination on an NCP ticket, was upbeat about his prospects.
Extending wishes to his opponents, he termed them as “honourable candidates”.
Confident of his victory John Leslee said, “My hardwork will be rewarded. I have been working with the grassroot to address several issues and whatever I could do as an opposition MLA have done. I have been with my people. I believe that the election will be healthy”.
He was also critical of the state government accusing it of failing the people of Tura when it came to the development aspect.
“The government has failed the people of Tura because it did not give priority to the burning issues of water shortage and street lighting. I tried my level best being in the opposition and I will continue to do so and will raise my voice to better the basic facilities for Tura constituency,” said John Leslee Sangma.
Expressing his personal views on the government formation, he said, “If for the welfare of the constituency, I have to partner with different political parties post-election, I am willing to do so. My personal agenda has to be in the back seat”.