BJP, NPP yet to name candidate for Ampati polls

SHILLONG: The state BJP leadership has intimated the Central leadership about the Ampati by-polls to seek their advice about party’s plan for the election.
BJP state president Shibun Lyngdoh on Friday said that the party leadership in the state would be informed about the decision within a day or two.
When asked if Bakul Hajong would contest the election, he said that it is the prerogative of the party’s Central Election Committee to take a call on whether the party should contest the by-poll and if it does, who should be its candidate.
While Congress is likely to field the daughter of Opposition Leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma, NPP and BJP are yet to take any decision on the matter.
The Ampati by-poll will be held on May 28. The notification for the by-poll will be issued on May 3 and the last date of filing nominations will be May 10. Scrutiny of nomination papers will be held the next day.
The last date of withdrawal of nominations is May 14 and results will be declared on May 31, Chief Electoral Officer Frederick Kharkongor said.
Mukul Sangma had won from two seats – Ampati and Songsak – in the February 27 Assembly elections. The senior Congress leader retained the Songsak seat in East Garo Hills District and vacated Ampati from where he had been elected for six consecutive times.