SOHIONG, May 7: Although six candidates are in fray for the election to the Sohiong Assembly seat on May 10, the constituency is likely to witness a key contest between NPP candidate and former MLA, Samlin Malngiang and UDP’s Synshar Kupar Roy Lyngdoh Thabah.
Among the other candidates, Congress candidate S. Osborne Kharjana is also doing his best to make his presence felt whereas Seraph Eric Kharbuki (BJP), Stodingstar Thabah (TMC) and Sandondor Ryntathiang (HSPDP) have been relatively low key as far as campaigning is concerned.
Both NPP and UDP are holding big rallies in different pockets of the constituency while Congress, with its limited resources, is holding pocket meetings and undertaking door-to-door visits to garner support of the electorate.
The UDP is banking on a sympathy wave in favour of their candidate, who is a nephew of former Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh whose death led to the election being deferred.
While the NPP is confident about its prospect, it remains to be seen if Malngiang’s decision to quit the HSPDP and contest from the NPP will have any impact on the results that will be declared on May 13.
A significant aspect of the campaign process has been the verbal duel between the MDA 2.0 coalition partners – UDP and NPP with the former indicating a change in the government post declaration of results and the latter retaliating by threatening to oust UDP from the MDA equation.
Another highlight of the Sohiong election is a controversial remark by NPP vice president and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong who had claimed that MLA schemes are meant to benefit only those voters/supporters who support the party/candidate during the election.
The comment has led to a backlash and has drawn flak from other parties.
The campaign has been more of opponent-bashing rather than highlighting policies and plans for the betterment of the constituency.
The RTI findings on the alleged manipulation of names under the SWRP scheme is also a taking point for voters in the constituency.
During an interaction with The Shillong Times, some voters said they expect the new MLA to work for the overall development of the constituency.
They want the new MLA to upgrade the facilities in the various health centres in the constituency.
According to the electorate, the health centres including the PHC and sub centres have done little to alleviate the suffering of the people.
They pointed out that even the CHC at Sohiong is lacking on many fronts forcing people to travel to Mawphlang CHC which is better equipped to handle emergency cases, especially deliveries.
With the campaigning ending on Monday, the NPP and UDP will be holding their final public rallies at Sohiong.
The UDP rally will be held near the residence of (L) HDR Lyngdoh while the NPP’s rally is at a stone’s throw away.
There is a huge deployment of CAPF at Sohiong since Sunday to prevent any untoward incident considering the proximity of the two rally venues.
A total of around 34,000 voters will cast their votes across 63 polling stations in Sohiong on May 10.
