SHILLONG: Cabinet Minister AL Hek feels that BJP should not contest the Ranikor by-poll and instead focus on South Tura constituency.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Hek admitted that the performance of BJP was “very poor in Ranikor in the Assembly elections” while in South Tura constituency, BJP candidate Billykid A Sangma did “very well and stood second in the share of votes in the constituency”.
The senior BJP leader suggested that the matter pertaining to both the constituencies should be discussed at the State Executive Committee of BJP.
“We should also take Billykid A Sangma into confidence and take his views on contesting the South Tura by-elections,” Hek said.
South Tura seat fell vacant after Agatha Sangma resigned to pave way for her brother Conrad Sangma to get elected to the Assembly. Earlier, Chief Minister and NPP chief Conrad Sangma had said that his party will seek the support of its coalition partner for the by-poll.
While Agatha Sangma polled 6,499 votes, Billykid Sangma polled 4,869 and Congress’s GN Arengh secured the third spot with 3,597 votes.
Meanwhile, the Congress has started its groundwork in Ranikor with the party’s working president James Lyngdoh
camping in Ranikor “to get a feel of the situation”, said PT Sawkmie on Wednesday.
Sawkmie said there are three to four probable candidates in the constituency. “Once he submits his report to MPCC, the matter will be discussed,” he added.
The by-poll to the Ranikor constituency is necessitated after Congress MLA Martin M Danggo resigned from the party and the post of MLA. Danggo is likely to contest the election on an NPP ticket.
