SHILLONG: The 2018 Assembly elections will see several bureaucrats taking on seasoned politicians in Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills districts.
Nehru Suting, Commerce and Industries director, will be seen in a different role in Pynursla (East Khasi Hills). The senior bureaucrat, whose name has been recommended for ticket by the Pynursla UDP unit, will face sitting MLA Prestone Tynsong, who is likely to join NPP soon.
In Mawsynram (East Khasi Hills), two bureaucrats are in the fray and will face sitting MLA and Chief Executive Member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council PN Syiem, who has been suspended from the Congress for three years.
The director of the National Health Mission, Himalaya Muktan Shangpliang may contest on Congress ticket.
He had already applied for voluntary retirement.
Shangpliang recently made headlines for attending a political meeting in the constituency.
The other bureaucrat from the Agriculture Department, Olanding Suin, is likely to contest on UDP ticket.
Nartiang constituency in West Jaintia Hills will also witness a former IAS and Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, contesting on Congress ticket against former minister and sitting MLA Sniawbhalang Dhar.
Dhar is also prepared to join NPP.
In Garo Hills, B Ch Hajong, is preparing to give Mukul Sangma a tough fight in Ampati. Hajong, who was an officer on special duty, is a BJP ticket aspirant.
Ferlin CA Sangma, a former joint secretary in charge of the Printing and Stationery, has taken voluntary retirement to contest from Selsella constituency.
Sangma will contest against Cabinet minister Clement Marak. She is likely to be NPP’s candidate.
