TURA, March 11: The largest number of candidates on a single day filed their nominations for the ensuing GHADC elections on Thursday, three days before closure, including sitting NPP Chief Executive Member (CEM) Dipul R Marak and Chairman Denang T Sangma.
Out of the thirty candidates who filed their papers, a bulk of the nominations, totaling 11 candidates, came from the ruling NPP side followed by four from the Opposition Congress and a huge turnout of 13 Independent aspirants.
West Garo Hills, by virtue of having the largest number of MDC constituencies, also recorded the most nominations — a total of 14 candidates.
Prominent among the candidates were outgoing CEM Dipul R Marak from his pocket borough of Rochonpara constituency near Garobadha, a leader from one of the pressure group, Association for Democracy Empowerment, Dalseng Bira Ch Momin as NCP candidate from Amongpara and three non-tribal candidates — Sole Ahmed from Balachanda, Jahangir Rahman Sarkar from Shyamnagar and Aktar Ali from Zikzak.
In East Garo Hills, outgoing Chairman of GHADC and NPP MDC, Denang T Sangma, along with executive member Brilliant R Sangma filed their nominations from Williamnagar and Samandagre, respectively.
Another executive member from the current council EC, Sukharam K Sangma of the NPP, submitted his nomination to fight from his traditional bastion of Rongrong (Resubelpara) constituency.
From the Congress house, all four party candidates from south West Garo Hills filed their nominations during the day, besides sitting MDC Stevie Marak from Boladamgre, Kansan Sangma from Nogorpara, Sanjay Koch from Betasing and Jagadish Ch Hajong from Zikzak.
Lone Garo National Council party candidate to file nomination was Menthu M Marak from Amongpara seat.
Independent candidates who filed their nomination were former Congressman Grithalson N Arengh for the prestigious Tura seat and sitting MDC from Wagesik and former EM Sengnal N Sangma, who was denied the NPP ticket, this time.