Parties gear up for Ampati, Williamnagar by-polls

SHILLONG: The candidates for Ampati and Williamnagar have started preparations for the by-polls.
Though the Election Commission is yet to announce the date for the by-polls, the parties have started the ground work.
Last week, Opposition Leader Mukul Sangma, who quit the seat to pave way for his daughter, Miani D Shira, was not present in the Assembly for a few days as he was busy in his previous constituency.
A Congress legislator said Sangma could not attend the session for some days as he had to prepare for the upcoming by-polls in Ampati.
The legislator said the Congress will field Sangma’s daughter to contest the seat.
Though BJP is yet to meet to discuss the issue, sources said the party is unlikely to change its candidate Bakul Hajong who unsuccessfully contested against Sangma who won with a margin of 8,104 votes.
In Williamnagar, the election was adjourned due to the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma on February 18.
Now, NCP has decided to field the wife of Jonathone to contest the seat.
Candidates, including those from the Congress and NPP had already completed their campaigns prior to the violent incident and they are ready to face the by-polls, while the next phase of the campaign will start only after the announcement of the by-polls.