GUWAHATI: NPP candidate and former MLA, Marcuise N. Marak is confident of winning the April 27 Assembly election in Williamnagar, claiming that a number of factors, including his party forming a coalition government in the state, will work in his favour.
“Yes, the fact that our party triumphed in the February 27 elections and subsequently formed the government along with our alliance partners, will be an advantage for me. Besides, some key Congress members are no longer with the party candidate (Deborah C. Marak), with two (Sengbath R. Marak and Lahatson N. Marak) contesting as Independents while Tennydard M Marak and former MDC, Truman R. Marak, have shifted allegiance and are now with NPP,” Marak told The Shillong Times before receiving Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad K. Sangma at Nengkra (15km off Williamnagar) on Monday morning.
The chief minister, who is the NPP national president, campaigned for Marak during the day with meetings scheduled at Nengkra, Dawanengkatok, Kusumkolgre and Balsrigittim.
“My chances of winning have been propelled by the fact that the chief minister himself has come to Williamnagar to campaign for me,” Marak said.
Williamnagar has 32,345 voters and the seat was represented during 2013-2018 by former minister Deborah C. Marak of Congress.
The election to the constituency in East Garo Hills district had to be deferred following the killing of NCP candidate, Jonathone N. Sangma, allegedly by GNLA militants, just a few days ahead of the February 27 polls. NCP has thereafter put up Jonathone’s widow, Krenila R. Marak as the candidate from the seat.
Asked whether there would be a sympathy wave for Krenila, the former legislator said she was yet to be acceptable among the electorate. “I believe that the acceptability factor would see me through,” he said.
A multi-cornered contest is on the cards with as many as nine candidates in the fray.
The coalition partners will not have any common candidate as the candidates from the parties supporting the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government cannot withdraw their nominations for the by-poll. UDP and BJP have fielded Mahamsing M Sangma and Santosh Marak respectively.
The MDA currently comprises 19 NPP legislators, six from UDP, four from PDF, two each from HSPDP and BJP, one from NCP and two Independents.
“Road infrastructure, drinking water, education, healthcare and creation of employment for the youth among others will be my priority areas,” Marak said.
NCP differs
Meghalaya NCP president, Saleng A Sangma, who has been campaigning for Krinila, says “there will be a sympathy wave doing the rounds” for her.
“She is doing good. I believe her chances of winning is there,” Sangma told this correspondent.
Krinila, however, could not be contacted. Recently, she had
