* Bindo M Lanong (Nongkrem)
Going it alone this time around, a visibly hurt UDP founding member and senior politician, Bindo M Lanong, on Monday said that the sagacity of party’s past leaders who advocated the idea that businessmen should not enter politics stands true as the UDP is not what it used to be since Metbah Lyngdoh came into the picture as the party’s president.
“I have been deprived of my right after business people came into politics. Our forefathers, BB Lyngdoh and others, said such people should not be allowed to join politics and it proves to be true; when a business man has joined the UDP as president, the party has changed,” an emotional Lanong said after filing his nominations as an independent candidate. According to him, the UDP’s decision to deny him ticket has shocked the party’s rank and file too.
Lanong ridiculed the claims of a UDP representative becoming Chief Minister after the Assembly elections.
“How will UDP make chief minister when I have already expressed earlier if at all they will not even cross 10 (seats) according to my estimate. The question of reaching that goal of UDP chief minister leading the government is a wishful dream,” he added.
Lanong, however, is open to the idea of returning to the UDP camp after elections, is the party welcomes him.
* Hamletson Dohling (Mylliem)
NPP candidate from Mylliem, Hamletson Dohling, said that the demand for implementation of ILP and the recognition of the Khasi language in Eight Schedule of the Constitution will be one of his top priorities if he is again re-elected.
Dohling told reporters on Monday that the electorates are on side his side not on the basis of the party affiliation but him as an individual. The former PDF MLA further stated that joining the NPP was not his personal decision, but it was the choice of his supporters. “I have to listen to them,” Dohling, who was also a Cabinet minister, said.
On complaints about him being inaccessible, the NPP candidate said his house is open for people round the clock.
* Lambor Malngiang (Nongkrem)
UDP’s candidate for Nongkrem seat, Lambor Malngiang on Monday claimed he has raised multiple issues that held significance and had bearing on people’s lives.
While recalling raising the issues such as the interstate boundary dispute and the proposal to set up casinos in the state, the UDP candidate said the people are happy since whatever issues were raised in the Assembly by him have been resolved. Malngiang had resigned as an independent MLA before joining the UDP.
The decision to enter the UDP fold was a collective one, according to Lambor, who feels that there is a need to strengthen the party, which is one of the oldest regional parties in the state.
On the question of Bindo Lanong posing a challenge to him in Nongkrem, Lambor preferred not to talk about his political rivals. “The people will give their judgment on March 2,” Lambor, who is confident of a win, said.
* Sanbor Shullai (South Shillong)
BJP’s South Shillong candidate Sanbor Shullai on Monday said he believes the people of Meghalaya have accepted the BJP based on their good work, particularly at the Centre by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Shullai said that the people of the state will be benefitted if there is a BJP government in Meghalaya. In the purported absence of strong opponents, Shullai admitted to polls this year being a cakewalk for him. On ILP, the BJP leader said the matter will be discussed thoroughly if the BJP government comes to power. “It will be fulfilled if it is for the interest of the people of the state and if it is as per the provision of the Constitution,” he said. He said he is unaware about any cash-for-ticket scam. “I have not paid anything since the BJP leaders came to my bedroom to offer me the party ticket free of cost,” he said.
* Mariahom Kharkrang (North Shillong)
BJP spokesperson and candidate from North Shillong, Mariahom Kharkrang has asserted that Meghalaya will see development only if the security system of the state is improved. “We have to depend on investment so that jobs can be created with the security system we have right now, I don’t think anyone would like to invest here,” he said.
Kharkrang, who has earlier served as the district police chief, contended that law and order system has a bearing on the development of the state.
Asked for his comment on the cases of coal-related illegalities in the state, the former cop said there is nothing left for the party to say in this matter as even the High Court of Meghalaya has made remarks on the issue. “If the media has made up (the story), by now you would have defamation cases registered but that has not happened,” he said. On the cash-for-ticket allegations, Kharkrang asserted he has spent a penny in this regard, while adding that he was allotted the ticket on merit.
* Martin M Danggo (Ranikor)
Five-time MLA and former Assembly Speaker, Martin M Danggo, who is contesting polls from Ranikor constituency on a BJP ticket, has said that it is unlikely that the saffron party will form the government on its own. But he added that the BJP will secure more than 15 seats throughout the state. He is confident of winning the election from Ranikor constituency.
* Manuel Badwar (East Shillong)
Making his debut, Congress candidate from East Shillong constituency Manuel Badwar said it will be a contest between the new-age and progressive politics against the traditional one. He said, “I am standing for new age politics, progressive politics Shillong or Meghalaya has not seen such politics ever. I think it is about time we make that change”. He is pitted against a seasoned politician Ampareen Lyngdoh, who is in the NPP fold.
* Champion Sangma (Songsak)
“This time, the competition in Songsak will be between me and Nihim D Shira (the NPP candidate). Mukul Sangma will not matter,” Congress candidate Champion Sangma told reporters after filing nomination on Monday. When asked about what ails his constituency, Champion blamed both Mukul and Nihim for the underdevelopment of the area.
* Thomas Marak (Songsak)
For Thomas Marak, who is contesting from Songsak on a BJP ticket, Meghalaya has seen under-development despite the BJP government providing huge schemes for the state.
“People have understood that the negative propaganda against the BJP is completely wrong and we want to ensure that these programs reach the people of the state – without fail. I am confident that the work done for the poor of India during COVID is enough to show how much we are for the poor. We will get more than 30 seats in the coming elections and form the government,” said Thomas.
* Auspicious L Mawphlang (Mawphlang)
PDF general secretary Auspicious Lyngdoh, who is vying for Mawphlang seat, has admitted that it will not be an easy fight for him although he is confident about winning the polls. Lyngdoh flagged the absence of basic amenities, which he witnessed after campaigning extensively in most parts of the constituency.
* Anthony Kongwang (Pynursla)
UDP candidate from Pynursla, Anthony Kongwang recalled his arduous travel to Shillong to file nomination when the situation could be otherwise if the Pynursla Civil Sub Division was fully functional. Kongwang, who is a well-known Khasi singer and composer, said he does not subscribe to local MLA Prestone Tynsong’s style of functioning, and has set out to contest against him. Kongwang used to be a close aide of Tynsong.
* Francis Pondit R Sangma (Rambrai-Jyrngam)
Francis Pondit R Sangma, former MLA of Mawthengkut and an independent aspirant for the Rambrai-Jyrngam seat, is upset with the BJP leadership, who had earlier denied him a ticket. He is 100 per cent sure about winning the polls from Rambrai-Jyrngam as he claims to have the support of the people in the constituency, especially the Garo community with a population of over 14,000.
* Sounder S Cajee (Mawkyrwat)
Sounder S Cajee, the TMC’s candidate from Mawkyrwat, said, “I look forward to doing the best for the people of my constituency in terms of development. I have taken a pledge to eradicate the poverty that is being faced by my people. I stand firm in the principles and hope to obtain a respectable victory with the blessings of the people. Mawkyrwat constituency will play an integral role in bringing transparent governance to our state.”
* Harold Firming Khongsit (Sohra)
TMC candidate from Sohra, Harold Firming Khongsit, on Monday said the TMC will bring a change after coming to power. “In Sohra, we lack better infrastructure to empower the spirit of sports among our youth. People understand the failures of the ruling dispensation and agree with my views. The sitting MLA failed to accomplish what he had promised and dodged the aspirations of the people of Sohra. There are ample issues that plague the constituency which stands unattended by the ruling MLA,” he said.