SHILLONG: The stage for the crucial electoral theatre in Meghalaya on February 27 is set with none of the 374 candidates in the fray likely to pull out on Monday, the last day for withdrawing nominations.
While big kahunas like the Congress, the National People’s Party (NPP) and the BJP flex their muscles, satraps and the first-time players too are leaving no stone unturned to make an impact.
The number of seats that the parties will contest is Congress at 60, NPP 52, BJP 47, People’s Democratic Front 26, Nationalist Congress Party 21, United Democratic Party 35, Hill State People’s Democratic Party 13, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement 8 and Garo National Council 6. There are 85 independent and 33 women candidates.
Some of the new entrants in the Meghalaya ballot battle are Trinamool Congress, Republican Party of India (Athawale) and North East India Development Party (NEIDP).
The Gazette notification was issued on January 31 and the last date for nominations was February 7. The nominations were scrutinised on February 8 and three candidates were disqualified for various reasons. However, one of the candidates, who is contesting Mahendraganj seat on NEIDP ticket, has challenged the disqualification and resolved to fight it out on February 27.
Rowell Lyngdoh, the 79-year-old NPP candidate from Mawkyrwat, is the oldest contestant.
Four contenders, all of whom are 25 years old, are the youngest. They are NEIDP’s Tony Fass Marbaniang from North Shillong, HSPDP’s Defender Pakem from Sutnga-Saipung, Independent Firstbornson Nongtdu from Khliehriat and NPP’s Dasakhiatbha Lamare from Mawhati.
Mudslinging and war of words among leaders have already started as candidates step on the gas to expand their vote base.
The incumbent Congress, which is facing an apparent threat from the NPP and the BJP, is ready with its armoury and chalking out dates for its national star campaigners.
The 2018 election in Meghalaya, which has a history of political volatility, will be a litmus test for the incumbent Congress as well as for the NPP, which is working hard to live up to the aspirations of its late founder Purno Sangma, and the BJP that is eyeing another state in the Northeast amid accusations of communal intolerance.
