SHILLONG: Twenty sitting MLAs has retained their seats from the respective constituencies.
Chief Minister and Congress candidate Mukul Sangma, who contested two seats, retained Ampati.
Other Congress candidates who retained their seats are Ampareen Lyngdoh, David Nongrum, Zenith, Martin Danggo, Winnerson D. Sangma, Clement Marak, Dikkanchi D. Shira and Marthon Sangma.
NPP members who retained their seats are Prestone Tynsong, Comingone Ymbon, James Sangma, Sniawbhlang Dhar.
BJP candidates Sanbor Shullai and AL Hek were also re-elected.
Saleng Sangma is the only NCP candidate who retained his Gambegre seat.
UDP legislators Donkupar Roy, Metbah Lyngdoh and Brolding Nongsiej won from their respective constituency.
Though DD Lapang did not contest from Nongpoh, his candidate, a newcomer, Mayralborn Syiem won the seat.
Setbacks
Political greenhorns sprang a surprise in several constituencies by defeating sitting legislators. The results were announced on Saturday.
Pongseng Marak of NPP won against sitting MLA Brigady Napak Marak and Congress’s Lazarus Sangma defeated Bluebell R Sangma.
NPP’s Sosthenes Sohtun won against former MLA of Jirang Lambok Mylliem from the People’s Democratic Front (PDF), who came third in the race. The second slot went to Witness Sancley of the Congress.
NPP’s Rupert Momin won against Cherak Watre Momin from the Congress in Kharkutta.
UDP’s Kyrmen Shylla defeated Khliehriat MLA Justin Dkhar and NPP’s Dasakhiat Lamare defeated jailed Julius Dorphang who represented Mawhati.
Banteidor Lyngdoh from PDF won from Mawkynrew by defeating NPP candidate Remington Pyngrope who came third, while the second spot went to Martle Mukhim of HSPDP.
Another win for the PDF is Gavin Miguel Mylliem where he defeated UDP Titos Chyne in Sohra. PDF also won from Umsning as Jason Sawkmie Mawlong defeated (Congress) Celestine Lyngdoh.
In an unexpected turn of events, Hamletson Dohling (PDF) won against Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V Lyngdoh.
HSPDP’s Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar sent Rowell Lyngdoh, who earlier represented Mawkyrwat, to the third spot while the second spot went to Carness Sohshang.
Mawlai did not give sitting MLA Embhahlang Syiemlieh a chance as Process T. Sawkmie took the victory spot, with Independent candidate Teibor Pathaw getting the second spot.
It was also a disappointing moment for Congress’s Kennedy Khyriem as his dreams to seek re-election for the second time was quashed by Independent SK Sunn.
HSPDP sitting MLA Witting Mawsor came second as Gigur Myrthong won the Mawshynrut seat.
As for the Mookaiaw seat, former representative Robinus Syngkon came in the fourth spot as the top spot went to UDP Nujorki Sungoh.
NPP Macmillan Byrsat defeated sitting HSPDP MLA Diosstarness Jyndiang in Nongstoin.
NPP’s Thomas A. Sangma won against Congress MLA Noverfield R. Marak from North Tura.
Another disappointment for Congress is losing the Raksamgre seat represented by Limison D. Sangma to NPP Benedic R. Marak.
Congress Azad Zaman snatched the Rajabala seat from Ashahel D. Shira who contested as an Independent.
Congress candidate from Resubelpara is Salseng C. Marak who lost to NPP Timothy Marak.
Another upset for HSPDP is KP Pangniang who lost to Congress’s Kimfa Marbaniang from Rambrai Jyrngam.
NPP Rakkam A. Sangma defeated sitting legislator Rophul S. Marak from Rongara Siju. NPP’s Jim M Sangma defeated Sengnam Marak from Congress in Romgjeng.
NPP’s Agatha Sangma, who is participating in the state election for the first time, defeated John Leslee from South Tura.
Congress’s Jimmy D Sangma also snatched the Tikrikilla seat from Independent candidate Michael Sangma.
Another upset is NPP Ngaitlang Dhar who lost to Congress’s George Lyngdoh from Umroi.
In West Shillong, Congress’s Mahendro Rapsang defeated UDP MLA Paul Lyngdoh.
Comeback after hiatus
Some of the former legislators made a thumping comeback after staying away from electoral politics for a long time. The most prominent among them was Charles Pyngrope who defeated UDP’s Jemino Mawthoh in Nongthymmai.
HSPDP president Ardent Basaiawmoit lost to Independent candidate Lambor Malniang, who staged a comeback, in Nongkrem.
Mukul Sangma – though he is not a greenhorn or is staging a comeback – defeated NPP and sitting MLA Nihim D. Shira from Songsak.
Lahkmen Rymbui from United Democratic Party (UDP) won against the sitting MLA Stephanson Mukhim.
Congress won from Sutnga Saipung as Shitlang Pale, a former minsiter, snatched the seat from NPP Hopeful Bamon.
