SHILLONG: After all the campaigning for months, the candidates who are contesting from the Shillong and Tura Parliamentary Constituencies of Meghalaya are optimistic that the voters would vote in their favour.
Common candidate from Shillong, Jemino Mawthoh while casting his vote said that he being supported by all the regional parties of the state was in an advantageous position and the efforts of the all the parties would work in his favour.
He also feels that there is anti-incumbency factor against the sitting MP and people will definitely elect a new MP this time
Congress candidate, Vincent Pala said that with money not in play in the MP elections, people will use their conscience while voting.
He felt that that the Congress had every chance to come back to power even as he added that the difference this time round was the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bills where people from every district of the state had expressed their opposition against the issue.
When asked about his experience, Pala said that for five years, he was in the government and seen how it functioned and another five years, he was in the opposition where he got a chance to sit, observe and learn about how things move both in the ruling and opposition benches.
Echoing similar views, BJP candidate, Sanbor Shullai said that he has made it very clear to the BJP central leadership that Meghalaya and the entire Northeast should be exempted from Citizenship Amendment Bill and he had also submitted a memorandum with the Prime Minister over this matter
He also lamented that during his campaigning, he found that people in the state have been affected with the ban on coal mining by the NGT
On the other hand, NPP candidate from Tura seat, Agatha Sangma says that elections are always tough but she is confident of winning the elections as the party has worked hard.
Admitting that campaigning period was short, she added that it was wonderful to see so many young voters coming out and exercising their right to franchise
Meghalaya Chief Minister and NPP president, Conrad Sangma also says that both the NPP and the Opposition have worked and now people would elect their MPs as per their wisdom. He also said that in elections, nobody could be underestimated.