SHILLONG, Feb 2: As many as 15 candidates filed their nominations on Thursday across the state for the February 27 Assembly elections in Meghalaya.
The 15 candidates who filed their nominations included five from the NPP, four from the Congress, three from the newly-constituted KAM, two from the UDP and one independent.
In Shillong, KAM candidates Angela Rangad (South Shillong), Wanpynhun Kharsyntiew (East Shillong) & Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh (North Shillong) and UDP’s Osaphi S Jyrwa (Mawryngkneng) filed their nominations on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after filing her papers, Rangad said she was hopeful of a win as her campaign was based on certain values and principles.
She said the people of the South Shillong constituency now have an alternative and hoped they will choose wisely.
“The sitting MLA has represented the constituency thrice, which is 15 years. But I believe nobody is invincible,” she said of her prime rival, Sanbor Shullai of the BJP.
“One has to understand that people weigh the work of the MLA and not just the term. People I have met said there is so much not done for South Shillong,” she added.
Jyrwa said it is time to strengthen the regional forces and have the state’s very own people govern the state and its people.
In East Garo Hills, three NPP candidates – Marcuise Marak (Williamnagar), Jim Sangma (Rongjeng) and Nihim D Shira (Songsak) – filed their papers before the returning officer on Thursday.
Shira will take on former chief minister and TMC stalwart Mukul M Sangma and former militant-turned Congress candidate Champion R Sangma.
Independent candidate Kartus Marak filed his papers for the Baghmara seat in South Garo Hills.
The three NPP leaders were joined by their supporters in a show of strength while Kartus turned up with more than 2,000 supporters to file his papers.
Kartus is pitted against the BJP’s Samuel Sangma, a three-time MLA, Saljagringgrang Marak of TMC and Satto Marak of the NPP, among others.
In Ri-Bhoi, four Congress candidates – Celestine Lyngdoh (Umsning), Rona Khymdeit (Nongpoh), Stanlywiss Rymbai (Umroi) and Charles Marngar (Mawhati) – filed their nomination papers at the DC’s office in Nongpoh.
Marngar, who is also the Ri-Bhoi District Congress Committee president and Lyngdoh later told reporters that their party has had a new lease of life after 17 MLAs quit to join other political parties. They claimed Congress will emerge as the single-largest party and be in a position to dictate terms when the next government is formed.
In West Khasi Hills, NPP candidate and sitting MLA Gigur Myrthong filed his nomination papers for the Mawshynrut and was sworn in before returning officer HK Thabah.
He was accompanied by his wife and party leaders.
Speaking to reporters, Myrthong sounded confident that would make a comeback and focus on the education sector in his constituency.
In East Jaintia Hills, former Congress minister and NPP candidate Nehlang Lyngdoh filed his nominations for the Khliehriat seat. Lyngdoh is attempting a comeback to politics after having opted out in 2013. He will face a tough battle against Cabinet Minister and UDP candidate Kyrmen Shylla.
Former chief minister (L) Donkupar Roy’s son and sitting MLA Balajied Kupar Synrem filed his nominations as the UDP candidate for the Shella seat.
NPP’s Myrthong a crorepati
NPP candidate from Mawshynrut, Gigur Myrthong is a crorepati but his wife is richer than him.
As per the affidavit filed by Myrthong, the gross total value of his moveable asset is over Rs 2.52 crore while the gross total value of his wife’s moveable asset is over Rs 7.83 crore. His wife is a businesswoman.
Myrthong owns as many as 18 vehicles while his wife owns 14 vehicles.
Myrthong owns one non-agricultural land while his wife owns 14 non-agricultural lands.
The total current market value of his immoveable assets is Rs 21 lakh, while the market value of his wife’s immoveable asset is Rs 6.14 crore.
The affidavit mentions Myrthong’s qualification as Class X passed.
Meanwhile, Angela Rangad who filed her nominations on Thursday has a criminal case pending against her.
An FIR was filed against her at Sadar police station and sections involved in the case are IPC 143/ 186 Section 5(1) of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control Rules), 2022.
The brief description of the offence is unlawful assembly to demand implementation of the Street Vendors Act, 2014 and refusing to stop the protest and using a megaphone.
The charges were framed against her in 2017.
