SHILLONG, Jan 30: In a new twist in the changing political dynamics in the state, Congress candidate Augustine D Marak on Monday decided to withdraw his candidature to throw his weight behind TMC candidate, Rupa Marak.
Augustine said he would be doing so to ensure the defeat of Health and Family Welfare Minister James Sangma from the Dadenggre assembly constituency.
“I have decided not to contest the upcoming elections and also resigned from the primary membership of the Congress due to health-related issues,” Marak said.
He continued, “Now that I have opted out of the race, I will support Rupa. I will never support the NPP. I want to ensure that James, an NPP candidate, is defeated and mark my word, James will be defeated.”
James is the elder brother of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. He has been elected to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on three consecutive terms from Dadenggre assembly constituency in West Garo Hills.
When reached for comments, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee chief Vincent H Pala said that the party is not surprised with the decision of Marak, who announced his unwillingness to contest the upcoming Assembly polls.
“I was aware about his plan to resign from the party and not to contest the election,” Pala said.
According to him, the party would field another candidate to contest from the seat in his place.
He also said that the party had not approached the former minister to contest from party ticket.
“It was Marak, who had applied for the party ticket. The party has nothing to lose,” the MPCC chief added.
Elections to the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly are scheduled to be held on February 27. The counting of votes will be held on March 2.
(With inputs from agencies)
