Conrad unlikely to contest two seats

SHILLONG, Jan 4: The national president of the National People’s Party (NPP) and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma may not contest the upcoming Assembly elections from two seats in the Garo Hills.
This indication from the party has made many speculate whether he would seek re-election from the South Tura constituency or choose another seat.
According to a senior NPP leader, Sangma is not looking beyond South Tura as of now.
“Why will he contest two seats? The MLA election is a different ballgame from the MDC election,” he said, referring to state BJP president Ernest Mawrie’s challenge to the Chief Minister to contest only the South Tura seat.
Mawrie had dared Sangma soon after the release of state BJP vice-president and MDC Bernard N Marak from jail on bail. Marak is the BJP’s South Tura candidate.
“The CM should not hedge his career by contesting two seats and face Bernard in his own backyard,” the state BJP chief had said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister said, “I have been very clear that I am contesting from South Tura, which is my constituency. There is no question of me changing South Tura as such. Anything else will depend on the party.”
The NPP leader said the party would release its complete list of 58 candidates during its regional conference on January 12.
The two seats left out are Mairang and South Shillong.
The party’s election manifesto would be released during the regional conference.
Party sources said People’s Democratic Front MLAs Jason S Mawlong and Hamletson Dohling will join the NPP on January 6 and 7 respectively. Hill State People’s Democratic Party MLA Samlin Malngiang is set to join on January 10.