WILLIAMNAGAR: The results of the election to the Williamnagar constituency are finally out.
For a constituency which had witnessed a ‘bloody first’ in Meghalaya’s electoral paradigm with the killing of NCP candidate Jonathone Sangma, the election fortunes of many were put to the test.
Both the ruling NPP and the leading opposition Congress party went trumpeting their own selves while going hammer and tongs at one another. While Conrad Sangma wooed Williamnagar with the pro development wand, Deborah harped on her performance.
Even Independents like Sengbath Marak were not far behind berating both opponents, former and sitting legislator, of doing too little for the citizens of the second most important town in Garo Hills.
And now it appears promises have triumphed over past laurels as the NPP’s Marcuise Marak has taken the trophy home.
And for the Congress, one more bastion has fallen. A party which ruled Meghalaya till recently has no story to write home with its MLA having to be content with the bronze.
“Today’s victory has come about because people of Williamnagar wanted a change and have reposed their faith in the NPP under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma,” said a jubilant and victorious Marcuise Marak while speaking to reporters outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office where counting had just concluded at noon on Monday.
The weather gods threat of playing truant failed to deter the enthusiasm of several hundred supporters of the NPP who jam packed the roads outside the counting hall awaiting the results.
Every time an announcement was made over the public address system the supporters erupted in joy shouting and applauding each time the NPP tally rose.
“People of Williamnagar are yearning for a change. They want to see better infrastructure, particularly roads, schools, health and sufficient water supply. I shall try and fulfill the peoples’ aspirations,” said Marcuise Marak.
‘Dual’ candidate of Congress?
New NPP MLA from Williamnagar, Marcuise Marak, has said that the Congress’ idea of backing two candidates in the election worked to his advantage.
Taking queries from reporters shortly after his victory, he said that the clandestine support given to Independent candidate Sengbath Marak by a section of Congress leaders in the state only added to the advantage of his candidature.
“Yes, it is true that there were two Congress supported candidates in this election. But it didn’t work for them,” said Marak.
He was echoing what Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma had stated during the election campaign in Williamnagar wherein the NPP chief accused Congress leader and former chief minister Mukul Sangma of supporting Deborah Marak during the day and backing Sengbath’s candidature during the night.