SHILLONG: Prominent names are emerging from the Congress for the Lok Sabha election in Tura constituency and the race for ticket is getting more interesting.
Former Cabinet minister Deborah Marak, who lost the Williamnagar by-election last year, and Zenith Sangma have filed applications to contest from Tura.
When asked about the divide in the party, Deborah said there was no infighting and the Congress “will collectively fight” the Lok Sabha election from Shillong and Tura.
“It will give a tough fight to the opposition parties in Tura and Shillong,” she added.
The Congress for the past many years have been trying to win the Lok Sabha election from Tura, which was considered as Purno Sangma’s stronghold.
On many occasions, the Congress’s margin of defeat was huge in Tura. But in 2009, Agatha Sangma’s winning margin was reduced to 17,945 when she contested against Deborah.
In 2004 and 2006, Purno’s nearest rival was CLP leader Mukul Sangma and the former had won with a huge margin.
In 2008, when Purno made his comeback to state politics, his daughter Agatha won the by-election by a margin of 99,856 votes defeating Zenith.
The name of Mukul is also doing the rounds as the probable candidate from Tura parliamentary seat as some party leaders and MLAs are proposing his name.
The fight for ticket in Shillong is also picking up pace with MP Vincent Pala looking to contest for a third consecutive time and former home minister HDR Lyngdoh joining the race.
Lyngdoh lost the last Assembly elections from Sohiong.
