105 candidates in JHADC fray; one woman on list

JOWAI: There are 105 candidates for the February 27 district council elections from Jaintia Hills.
The list has 67 from West Jaintia Hills, including seven from Amlarem sub-division, and 38 from East Jaintia Hills. Veteran politicians like UDP’s Moonlight Pariat and NPP’s Thombor Shiwat are also in the fray and if they are re-elected, they will be in the race for the post of JHADC chief executive member.
The fight this time seems to be between NPP and UDP as both have filed nominations for maximum number of seats.
Pariat is contesting for the sixth term since 1994 — three from the Congress, once from NCP and in the last term, he won from UDP.
Former student leader Rikut N Parien and former leader of the Jaintia Youth Federation Brightstar Chyrmang are among the social activists who are contesting the election this year.
There were many educated candidates, including a PhD holder from Bataw Lakadong contesting against sitting MDC Joinriwel Pyrtuh, the former deputy chief executive member.
There is no nomination from BJP. “All are scared of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill,” said a source.
Among the 105 candidates, only one woman is on the list. Violet Lyngdoh, the NPP MDC from Rymbai, will contest against UDP district president Finely Bareh.