SHILLONG: Rhetoric, hyperbole, mudslinging, excitement, eagerness and hope are some of the words which can be used generously to describe the mood and means of parties in the pre-polling period. But one word that rules the list beyond doubt is confidence and none of the parties has any dearth of it even on the eve of the by-polls.
With the by-poll campaigning coming to an end on Tuesday evening, parties and their candidates in both Ranikor and South Tura were busy mustering positive energy on Wednesday for the big day.
Leaders of the ruling NPP that had, not for once, underestimated its rivals in either of the constituencies, sounded confident about the hard work yielding results.
Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong claimed that NPP “is winning both the seats” and this is despite it facing strong opponents on Thursday.
The by-polls are crucial for NPP for two reasons — in South Tura, Conrad Sangma has to win to remain chief minister and in Ranikor, the party is fielding a former Congress winning horse, five-time MLA Martin M Danggo, and a loss will directly impact NPP’s image.
The United Democratic Party, NPP’s strong rival in Ranikor despite being a partner in the coalition government, was also oozing confidence when asked about the by-poll.
“As of today, we (UDP) are in the leading position in Ranikor,” said UDP senior leader Allan Dkhar. Pius Marwein, a young leader, is the party’s candidate.
For South Tura, Dkhar was confident of Conrad’s victory.
Ranikor was represented by Danggo since 1998 as a Congress leader and his defeat will gravely damage his popular image and belie the “sacrifice” of giving up the Assembly seat that NPP was harping on at campaign rallies.
But Congress’s HM shyangpliang believe “things have changed in Ranikor as people have understood why MM Danggo resigned”.
He also pointed out that those who had left the Congress are returning to the party base, especially in the upper area, “because they have realised that the Congress is the only party that can bring development and stability”. The party is fielding Jackiush Sangma, a former GSU member who was also involved in arms dealing.
Even for South Tura, Shangpliang was confident that the Congress — which is fielding Charlotte W Momin, an academician and a political greenhorn — will win. Besides, Conrad and Momin, South Tura has two more candidates, both independents — John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul A Sangma.
In Ranikor, besides Danggo, Marwein and Sangma, there is PDF’s PN Syiem, who once rebelled against Mukul Sangma and recently lost his KHADC CEM crown to HS Shylla.
Syiem believes the fight is between him and Danggo and he is sure to win.
Despite the high level of confidence, the mandate rests with the public and August 27 will show the genuine and the empty vessel.
