GUWAHATI: Opposition Congress shared the honours with ruling National People’s Party in Ri Bhoi, winning two seats each, while People’s Democratic Front won one.
The major surprise perhaps was in Nongpoh, with Balajied Ranee of the Congress getting the better of the previous MDC and frontrunner, Rona Khymdeit of the UDP. “The result was more than expected,” a jubilant Ranee told The Shillong Times on Saturday afternoon.
A straight fight between Khymdeit and Ranee was on the cards in Nongpoh. But Ranee prevailed to also upset UDP’s progress in the constituency.
Traditionally, Nongpoh has seen a Congress-UDP battle in the district council polls. The tables were turned by the Congress this time as Rona had defeated the party’s candidate Augustine Wahlang in 2014.
The other Congressman who won from Ri Bhoi is Charles Margnar from Mawhati. “We hope to form the executive committee in KHADC,” Ranee added, saying he would work for the protection and prom–otion of the customs of the indigenous commu–nities and try to make better laws for empowering the clans of Ri Bhoi.
For NPP, Rangkynsai Kharbuki in Umroi and frontrunner, Victor Ranee in Jirang emerged victorious while Magdalene Sawkmie Mawlong from PDF prevailed in Umsning.
