SHILLONG, Jan 14: In a twist to the already heating up contest in Sohiong, the Block Congress Committee (BCC) chief, Obsorne Kharjana’s sister, Sonny Kharjana, has decided to contest the upcoming KHADC elections, scheduled for February 21, as an Independent.
Sonny, who is the spokesperson of the Meghalaya Asha Workers’ Union and is also a primary member of the Congress party, wants to become a beacon for the Congress supporters to follow since they are supposedly confused about whose banner to hold, especially after Sohiong BCC chief, Osborne Kharjana, decided not to contest the polls after being denied the party ticket.
This is being seen as a setback for the Congress.
The State Congress has picked Nathaniel Rymmai, former Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh’s son, as its candidate for the polls.
The Kharjana siblings are children of former Sohiong MLA, (late) Nit Shabong, who represented Sohiong constituency between 1983 and 1988.
It may be noted that there was a conundrum within the grand-old party with regard to the ticket applicants from the constituency.
State Congress president Vincent H Pala had, however, addressed claims made by Sohiong BCC president of being the sole applicant for the party ticket. Pala refuted this claim, asserting that Nathaniel Rymmai had also applied.
“It is not true that (Osborne) Kharjana was the only one to apply,” Pala said. He even accused Kharjana of obstructing Rymmai’s efforts to join the party. “Rymmai tried to meet the SBCC president on several occasions, but Kharjana avoided him,” he claimed.
Pala clarified that individuals unable to join through block committees could apply directly to the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) or District Congress Committee (DCC). “Rymmai joined through the district committee, which then forwarded the application to us. So, the claim that Kharjana was the sole applicant is incorrect,” he explained.
While acknowledging Kharjana’s loyalty to the Congress, Pala highlighted Rymmai’s credentials. “He was a former Youth Congress leader, and his late father was a Congressman for nearly two decades. Based on reports from the DCC and observers, we believe Rymmai has a better chance of winning. Winnability is our top priority when allotting tickets,” he said.
