By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Nine candidates were left in the fray for Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha seats and four for Selsella by-poll after the end of withdrawal of nominations on Thursday.
Earlier, Congress standby candidate Kennedy Khyriem and CPI candidate Justice Kharbasanti withdrew their nominations for Shillong seat.
After a hearing on Thursday, returning officer Abhishek Bhagotia said KHNAM candidate THS Bonney would contest as Independent due to the pending court case related to the claim for the post of KHNAM president.
Earlier, KHNAM leader Pyndapbor Saibon, who claimed to be the president of KHNAM, had objected to the affidavit of Bonney since MLA Adlebert Nongrum was shown as the president of the party. Saibon had produced a court order to substantiate his claim.
Since the matter was still sub judice, the returning officer considered Bonney as an Independent candidate and free symbol of key was allotted to him.
Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor informed that after two candidates withdrew their nominations for Shillong seat, the six validly nominated candidates are sitting MP Vincent H Pala (Congress), Jemino Mawthoh (UDP), who is also a common candidate of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government, Sanbor Shullai (BJP) and Independents Romeo Phira Rani, Bonney and Samuel Hashah.
There was no withdrawal of nominations from Tura and the prestigious seat is heading for a three-cornered battle among Congress, BJP and UDP.
Former chief minister Mukul M Sangma of the Congress will contest against National People’s Party candidate and former Union Minister Agatha A Sangma and BJP’s Rikman G Momin.
Four nominations which were filed for the Selsella by-poll were found valid and there was no withdrawal.
The four candidates who are contesting the by-poll are Ferlin Sangma (NPP), June Eliana R. Marak (Congress), Adorsho Sangma (BJP) and Sayeedullah Nongrum (UDP). The by-poll in Selsella constituency was necessitated following the death of former Congress MLA Clement Marak last year. The filing of nominations started on March 18 and the last date was March 25. Both the parliamentary seats will go to polls in the first phase of the election on April 11. Selsella by-poll will also be held on the same date.