From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI: Mukul Sangma’s nomination as the Congress’s candidate for the Lok Sabha election has turned the limelight on Tura and stoked speculations about possible outcomes and consequences for both the national party and the NPP.
The NPP was expecting Zenith Sangma or Mukul’s son-in-law to contest against its candidate Agatha Sangma, who had won the seat once. But with Mukul in the fray, NPP had given a second thought about fielding Agatha and even considered fielding Conrad Sangma, sources said. Finally it decided for Agatha in the race.
In the past, Tura had never gone to any leader, including Mukul, other than PA Sangma or his family.
Though the Congress lost in the Assembly elections last year, Mukul proved his mettle by winning two seats from Garo Hills, Ampati and Songsak. Later, his daughter’s victory from Ampati again showed Mukul’s popularity.
But political observers say Ampati and Tura cannot be compared and the Congress is no more in power either in the state or at the Centre. Also, the NPP has more MLAs in Garo Hills than the Congress, which puts the former chief minister at odds.
Probably that is why Mukul denied being in the fray till the last moment and only conceded to the wishes of the high command. He did not even apply for ticket.
Mukul’s win or defeat will lead to a plexus of political developments. If he wins he will be a force at the Centre even if the Congress does not come back to power. But if he loses, it will cause great damage to his “strongman” image and even as CLP leader. For the NPP, Mukul’s win will be a personal defeat for Conrad. But if the former chief minister loses, the gain to NPP will reflect only if NDA comes back to power even with lesser strength.
Pala’s fight
Vincent Pala is fighting for a third consecutive term from Shillong that is no more in the spotlight and the Congress is concentrating in Tura.
For Pala, BJP will play a spoilsport by dividing the ruling alliance vote since it is putting candidates both in Shillong and Tura. In fact, the national party, which is in alliance with regional parties led by the NPP, will dent the vote count in both the constituencies.
The Congress is left with less MLAs in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills since most of its leaders have either lost or joined NPP before the polls. Hence, Pala is left with a few friends within the party but will get tacit support from his former friends who are now in the opposition camp and not active in the party. More than that, he will be facing much less opposition than the last parliamentary polls.