JOWAI: The bye-election in Amlarem Sub-Division for the lone War East District Council Constituency seat is expected to witness a straight fight between Independent candidate Losingh Lakuna of Syndai village and the Congress candidate and former JHADC chief Lamdibok Sumer from Tarangblang village.
Besides Lakuna and Sumer, other contesting candidates are Smenlang Kyndait (BJP) of Skentalang area and Firstborn Manner (UDP) of Tarangblang village.
According to local political observers, the Congress and UDP candidates have divided the votes of Tarangblang village. “In the beginning, it seemed that the constituency was heading towards a triangular contest between the Congress, UDP and the Independent. However, with the UDP losing support, there will be a tough fight between the Congress candidate and the Independent,” a few prominent residents of Amlarem said.
Interestingly, the past history of election in War East indicates that the candidate who got the support of its local MLA had always emerged victorious.
For instance, late BS Pohlong was supported by JD Pohrmen and RL Tariang and he was elected as MDC from the area. During the tenure of Lahkmen Rymbui as MLA, he supported Lamdibok Sumer who was subsequently elected. Sumer became the JHADC chief only to be defeated in the last district council election by MLA Stephanson Mukhim, who resigned resulting in the vacant seat in JHADC.
The independent candidate supported by the local MLA had earlier contested three times after he left the job of a forest officer under JHADC.
“If I am defeated this time, I will not contest anymore,” Lakuna said.
Meanwhile, Sumer is also confident of being elected once again. He is supported by former MLA Lahkmen Rymbui besides veteran Congress leaders of Jaintia Hills.
