TURA: The over two-week-long campaigning for the Tura parliamentary seat finally came to a close on Tuesday afternoon with all three parties, BJP, Congress and NPP, making last minute appeals to voters seeking the mandate in favour of their respective candidates, Rikman Momin, Mukul Sangma and Agatha Sangma.
Campaigning also ended for the by-election to the Selsella Assembly seat, which will be held with the Lok Sabha polls on April 11.
The two main contenders to the throne in Tura, Agatha and Mukul, wrapped up their campaigning in separate locations before the 4 PM deadline.
While NPP’s Agatha and chief minister Conrad K Sangma saved the best for the last-Tura town, Congress candidate Mukul Sangma was in remote Purakhasia region, bordering Bangladesh, and in two places — Sesengpara field Choipani Bazaar — in Dalu, West Garo Hills.
For Mukul Sangma this election is crucial to stop the BJP from returning to power in Delhi.
The former chief minister points out that five years of Modi government has resulted in job losses, farmer distress and a weakened economy.
“The Congress is the only party that understands the problems of the people and Tura needs an experienced leader who can raise the issues of the constituency in Delhi,” says Mukul Sangma while highlighting his long tenure in politics and eight years as chief minister.
He is confident that the trust and confidence shared between him and the people will help him sail through.
“The trust and confidence factor that we have built over the years based on our understanding, compassion and love will enable us to come together for a common purpose and that purpose is keeping the interest of the people above everything else,” he said on the sidelines.
He claimed that the people have been responsive to appeals and have come from far and wide to attend the meetings which is a healthy sign for democracy.
Acknowledging that there was limited time for campaigning, he said, “I hope the people will keep in mind the interest of the people of the region and the nation.”
For Agatha this election is an opportunity for the people of the constituency to reap the benefits of development from both the state and Delhi.
Stressing on the work undertaken by her brother and chief minister Conrad K Sangma, Agatha did not forget to ‘enlighten’ the gathering at the Tura bazaar rally how funds were released for the town’s development as soon as the NPP-led government took charge, one year ago. She also mentioned about the developmental work done within one year by the Conrad Sangma government highlighting the implementation of road and water schemes, getting from the central government over a dozen residential schools for tribals, among others.
“With an NPP- led government in our state and a NPP member of parliament in Delhi a lot can be done for Tura constituency. There is immense opportunity for ‘Parivarthan’ (change),” says Agatha as she woos the electorate for the last time before voters head to polling stations to cast their ballot on Thursday morning.
As the two candidates trade barbs against one another, BJP’s Rikman Momin wrapped up his campaign highlighting the ‘achievements’ of the Modi government in the last five years.
Will Agatha, who is backed by the regional United Democratic Party and the Garo National Council party, prove a third time lucky and make history by winning the prestigious Tura seat, or will Mukul Sangma, with the entire Congress machinery behind him and backed by an army of former Independents and legislators from various parties and a section of the Garoland State movement Committee leadership, create history of sorts by snatching victory that has eluded the party ever since Late P A Sangma and his family took to the contest?
The answer will come more than a month from now, on May 23, when results are declared.
