SHILLONG, Jan 6: Former Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) stalwart Mukul Sangma will contest the upcoming Assembly elections from two seats – Songsak and Tikrikilla.
Party’s state president Charles Pyngrope on Friday announced the names of 52 candidates, including five women.
“This is the first list of the 52 probable candidates which we have identified to fight the upcoming Assembly polls. We have decided on these names following a discussion in the committee, comprising senior members of the party,” Pyngrope said.
He further said that they went through a process and considered various factors before finalising the candidates.
Pyngrope, an MLA, will contest from Nongthymmai while party vice president and MLA George B Lyngdoh will contest from Umroi.
Mukul’s wife Dikkanchi D Shira will contest from Mahendraganj, their daughter Miani D Shira from Ampati and his younger brother Zenith M Sangma from Rangsakona. His close aides – Winnerson D Sangma and Lazarus M Sangma — will contest from Salmanpara and Chokpot respectively. Former MLA SG Esmatur Mominin, who deserted the National People’s Party, has been fielded in the Phulbari seat.
Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council MDC Andrew Shullai will be contesting from Jowai. The list has the names of six Garo Hills Autonomous District Council MDCs, including Cherak W Momin (Kharkutta), Pardinand D Shira (Mendipathar), Rinaldo K Sangma (Resubelpara), Agassi R Marak (Selsella), Alphonsush R Marak (Williamnagar) and Sadhiarani M Sangma (Gambegre).
The two other women candidates are Dr Saralin Dorphang (Mawhati) and Elgiva Gwyneth Rynjah (North Shillong).
Mukul said it is a good sign that women are being encouraged to join politics and be a part of this vibrant democracy.
The names of TMC candidates for Raliang, Nartiang, Sutnga-Saipung, Nongpoh, Mawlai, East Shillong, Mairang and Mawthadraishan constituencies are yet to be announced.
“We will be releasing the names of the candidates of the remaining eight seats shortly,” Pyngrope said.
The names of the other candidates featuring on the first list include Lasting Suchiang (Mookaiaw), Sunida Bareh (Khliehriat), Aiban Gashnga (Amlarem), Sunmoon D Marak (Jirang), Gilbert Nongrum (Umsning), Banshanlang Lawai (Mawryngkneng), Samborlang Diengdoh (Pynthorumkhrah), Iwan Maria (West Shillong), Ian A Lyngdoh Nongkynrih (South Shillong), Gilbert Guidingstar Laloo (Mylliem), Joannes Jefferson Tyler Lamphrang Lamare (Nongkrem), Stodingstar Thabah (Sohiong), Mawkordor Rynjah (Mawphlang), Vincent T Sangma (Mawsynram), Playness Khiewtam (Shella), Edmund Khongngai (Pynursla), Harold Firming Khongsit (Sohra), Dondor Marbaniang (Mawkynrew), Macmillan Kharbani (Nongstoin), Fernandez S Dkhar (Rambrai-Jyrngam), Sounder Strong Cajee (Mawkyrwat), Justine G Sangma (Mawshynrut), Savio Phrangsngi Dkhar (Ranikor),Tengrak R Marak (Bajengdoba), Sengnam M Marak (Rongjeng) , Dr Prabir D Sangma (Raksamgre), Dr Mohammed Mizanur Rahamankazi (Rajabala), Rupa M Marak (Dadengre), Rupert M Sangma (North Tura), Richard M Marak (South Tura), Sengkal A Sangma (Dalu), Rajesh M Marak (Rongara-Siju) and Saljangringrang R Marak (Baghmara).
Explaining his decision to contest from two seats, Mukul said it was part of the party’s political strategy.
“It is based on what we feel is necessary and also part of our political strategy,” he said.
There are observations that he is contesting from two seats due to his alleged arrogance but he said people can have their own interpretation or opinion.
“I have no problem in others drawing their own conclusion. But this decision was taken with due diligence,” he said.
Asked which one he will relinquish if he manages to win both seats, he said this is million-dollar question.
Although Mukul is contesting from two seats, Pyngrope said the leader will be elected by the MLAs. He ruled out any chief ministerial candidate.
“In any political party, it is a post-election scenario. The winning candidates will have the final say. I am sure the party will take a call at that time,” Pyngrope added.
His statement is in stark contrast to party’s national general secretary and second-in-command Abhishek Banerjee’s comment, who, during a public rally in Tura on November 17 last year, had projected Mukul as the party’s CM face.
