TURA, March 6: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has released its list of 17 candidates to contest the GHADC elections scheduled for April 12 with one of its most vocal party leaders, Bernard Marak, selected to represent the party from the prestigious Tura MDC seat.
This will be Bernard’s second attempt at the GHADC polls. In the 2015 polls, he had secured the fourth position behind victorious Independent candidate Rupert M Sangma, Congress’ Dulal Ch Sangma and NPP’s Dr Jimmy Momin.
Three MDCs from the outgoing house have also found a berth in the party list, namely former CEM Boston Marak who is seeking to retain his Nogorpara seat, former executive member (EM) in the Dipul Marak-led Executive Committee, Bhupender Hajong, from his constituency of Zikzak and another EM Rightous N Sangma from his current constituency of Babelapara where he is pitted against heavyweight and sitting NCP legislator Saleng A Sangma.
The saffron party has also fielded a woman candidate to take on NPP’s current MDC from Damas constituency in North Garo Hills. BJP’s Lakitha D Shira will be taking on sitting NPP member Dolly K Sangma from Damas.
Former Sericulture joint director, Bakul Ch Hajong, who had contested against the then chief minister Mukul Sangma from Ampati in the 2018 assembly elections, has also found a place in the BJP list.
He will be fighting the polls from Betasing MDC constituency in South West Garo Hills.
The lone non-tribal candidate to make it to the BJP list is Md. Fozibar Rahman, who has been selected to contest from Shyamnagar constituency of the plain-belt region in Rajabala.
The other BJP candidates are Jon Gunchong D Shira from Siju-Rongara, Wolden Sangma from Silkigre, Heringstone Marak from Rongrikimgre, Pramod Koch from Barengapara, Daniel M Sangma from Dengnakpara –– a constituency currently held by Sadhiarani M Sangma, wife of ex-Congress minister Zenith M Sangma, Cyril S Sangma from Balachanda, Ranjit Rabha fromNaguapara (Tikrikilla), Rongrong (Resu) Mamik M Sangma, Lopsing Marak from Samandagre and Greatwill Sangma from Williamnagar seat which is currently held by NPP heavyweight Denang T Sangma.
