SHILLONG, Jan 12: In what may be termed the sounding of poll bugle, the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) has announced a mammoth list of candidates who will enter the fray in 58 out of 60 Assembly constituencies in the state in the upcoming polls.
The list was formally announced by party state president WR Kharlukhi during an election meeting, which the NPP titled ‘Strong Together’, at Polo Ground here on Thursday.
Tops guns
Chief Minister and NPP national president Conrad Sangma will contest from South Tura to defend his bastion, while Deputy Chief Minister and party’s national vice president Prestone Tynsong will contest from Pynursla constituency.
Health Minister and NPP national treasurer, James PK Sangma will contest from Dadenggre, while Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar will contest from Nartiang, and Transport Minister Dasakhiat Lamare will vie for Nongkrem seat.
New entrants
New entrants — Ampareen Lyngdoh, Mohendro Rapsang and Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang — are expected to be strong contenders in the elections as well.
While Ampareen Lyngdoh, NPP’s spokesperson, will contest from East Shillong, Mohendro Rapsang West Shillong and Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang will contest in their home turfs — West Shillong and Rambrai Jyrngam respectively.
On the other hand, two former PDF legislators Hamleston Dohling (Mylliem) and Jason S Mawlong (Umsning) may be prove to be valuable addition to the NPP. They will contest in the constituencies held by them before resigning as MLAs.
The latest to enter the NPP camp are TMC MLAs Marthon Sangma and Jimmy D Sangma, who will contest from Mendipathar and Tikrikilla constituencies respectively.
Former HSPDP MLA Samlin Malngiang will represent NPP from Sohiong constituency.
Sitting NPP MLAs who featured in the list are Deputy Speaker Timothy D Shira (Resubelpara, NGH), Thomas A Sangma (North Tura, WGH), Comingone Ymbon (Raliang, WJH), Wailadmiki Shylla (Jowai, WJH), Sotheness Sohtun (Jirang, Ri-Bhoi), Pyniaid Sing Syiem (Mawryngkneng, EKH), Macmillan Byrsat (Nongstoin, WKH), Gigur Myrthong (Mawshynrut, WKH), Rupert M Momin (Kharkutta, NGH), Pongseng R Marak (Bajengdoba, NGH), Jim M Sangma (Rongjeng, EGH), Marcuise N Marak (Williamnagar, EGH), Abdus Saleh (Rajabala, WGH), Brening A Sangma (Dalu, WGH), Rakkam A Sangma (Rongara-Siju, SGH), Sengchim A Sangma (Chokpot, SGH).
Meanwhile, sitting KHADC MDCs who will contesting from the NPP in the Assembly polls are Council deputy chairman Alvin K Sawkmie (Mawsynram MDC) and the three Executive Members — Teibor Pathaw from Mawlai, Macdalyne Sawkmie Mawlong from Nongpoh, and Grace Mary Kharpuri from Shella.
Women candidates
The list also includes six women candidates.
Apart from Ampareen Lyngdoh and two sitting KHADC MDCs — Macdalyne Sawkmie Mawlong and Grace Mary Kharpuri — three other women candidates are Santa Mary Shylla from Sutnga-Saipung, Dr Jasmine Lyngdoh from Nongthymmai and Biolinda Lyngdoh Nonglait from Mawthadraishan.
Former MLAs who found a place in the NPP’s list are former Assembly Speakers Martin M Danggo (Ranikor, SWKH) and AT Mondal (Phulbari), Nihim D Shira (Songsak), Stephanson Mukhim (Amlarem), Nehlang Lyngdoh (Khliehriat), Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem (Mawphlang), Limison D Sangma (Raksamgre) and Satto R Marak (Baghmara).
Other names in the NPP’s list include Habahun Dhar from Mookaiaw, Shemphang Lyngdoh from Mawhati, Damanbait Lamare from Umroi, Rocky Hek from Pynthorumkhrah, Ransom Sutnga from North Shillong, Alan West Kharkongor from Sohra, Kansing Lynshiang from Mawkynrew, H Stalyne Diengdoh from Mawkyrwat, Arbinstone Marak from Selsella, Subir Marak from Rangsakona, Stevie M Marak from Ampati, Sanjay A Sangma from Mahendraganj, Ian Botham K Sangma from Salmanpara, Rakesh A Sangma from Gambegre and Sengchim A Sangma from Chokpot.
NPP steers clear of Mairang, South Shillong
The only two seats which will not be contested by the NPP are Mairang and South Shillong constituency.
Metbah Lyngdoh of the UDP, which is a partner in the MDA coalition, is the incumbent MLA of Mairang, while South Shillong is the bastion of BJP’s Sanbor Shullai. BJP too is an ally of the MDA Government.
However interesting one may speculate the reasons for NPP not fielding candidates in the two constituencies to be, NPP supremo Conrad Sangma has snubbed any specific reason behind the move.
“We have been working towards identifying candidates. We went ahead in the areas which we felt we have a strong candidate and a fighting chance. We do not want to put up a candidate for the sake of it and that is how it is,” Conrad said.
He, however, revealed that the NPP was not satisfied with their candidates in Mairang and South Shillong constituencies, he said the party decided to put candidate for South Shillong and Mairang.
When asked if the party has an understanding with the sitting MLAs of the two constituencies, the NPP chief denied the presence of such a proposition.
“If you look at the other way around, the sitting MLAs have better chances if there are more candidates who are contesting,” Sangma added.
The NPP chief also announced that the party will release its poll manifesto as and when the election dates are out.
A striking aspect of the NPP’s programme despite a decorated list of politicians they have intended on fielding in the polls is the fact that many chairs at the venue of the meeting were empty.