SHILLONG/ TURA/ NONGSTOIN: Filing of nominations by candidates is yet to pick up pace in Garo Hills with only one candidate submitting his papers on Thursday.
Nimarson Momin of the United Democratic Party (UDP) opened the account in South West Garo Hills by submitting his nomination papers at the deputy commissioner’s office in Ampati, the home constituency of Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.
Momin is contesting the Salmanpara seat that he won in the 2008 Assembly polls. He is pitted against Congress’ Winarson D Sangma and NPP’s Ian Botham Sangma.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is yet to announce any candidate, may also put up a candidate in the constituency.
In Tura, several candidates were seen collecting the nomination form at the deputy commissioner’s office but it is yet uncertain when they will file their nominations.
Meanwhile, on the second day of the filing of nominations only two Independent candidates filed their nominations at the deputy commissioner’s office in Shillong.
Independent candidate from Nongkrem constituency, Lambor Malngiang and Teibor Pathaw, another Independent candidate from Mawlai, filed their nominations on Thursday.
Speaking to the media after filing nominations, Malngiang said there are lots of disruptions in most political parties and hence he has decided to contest as an Independent candidate.
“I am confident of winning the polls since I am serving the people not only during elections but all the time,” he said, adding his priority areas will be healthcare, road connectivity and quality education for all since the school dropout rate in Nongkrem is quite high as many parents cannot afford to send their children to schools.
Asked whether the contest would be tough as an Independent candidate, he replied the people these days vote for candidates and not parties.
Malngiang, however, refused to divulge his strategy for the polls.
On his part, Pathaw said he could serve the people better by being an Independent candidate. Spelling out his priorities for the upcoming elections, he said apart from bringing all round development in Mawlai, he would set up a charity work trust for underprivileged families and a youth centre for the unemployed.
In Nongstoin, on the other hand, the Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) candidate, also the sitting MLA from Mawshynrut constituency, Witting Mawsor, and Gabriel Wahlang, a Congress MLA, filed their nominations and took oaths before the returning officer of Mawshynrut constituency, K.L Nongbri and returning officer of Nongstoin, PD Sangma respectively.
Mawsor was with his party leaders and followers during the filing of nominations.
Interacting with the media, Mawsor said that if reelected he would work to shore up the image of the government that has been tarnished of late. He added he would continue the development work in his constituency that he had initiated as a legislator. Road infrastructure, health facilities and education, he said, were his top priorities.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination, Wahlang said he would work for the welfare of the people of his constituency if elected. Nongstoin is still lagging behind in many respects, he said, adding that setting up of a government college, improving road infrastructure, providing electricity to every household, ensuring education for all and providing employment opportunities were his top priorities.
