SHILLONG: The Congress has decided to field a woman candidate in South Tura to take on Chief Minister Conrad Sangma for the August 23 by-poll.
The election committee of the Congress on Saturday approved the name of Charlotte W Momin to contest the seat.
Momin, retired principal of Tura government public school, was the lone applicant from the Congress from South Tura.
The party president, Celestine Lyngdoh, said on Sunday that the name will be forwarded to AICC for approval.
South Tura is expected to have a three-cornered contest as former legislator John Leslee Sangma will also join the fray.
The selection of a woman candidate by the Congress assumes significance as the seat was earlier held by former woman MLA Agatha Sangma.
Lyngdoh , however, said the election committee is yet to decide on Ranikor candidate.
Earlier, local leader JC Diengngan figured as the potential candidate of the party.
However, Lyngdoh said the party will take a decision on the matter at a later stage.
UDP to support Conrad
The UDP has decided to support the chief minister for the South Tura by-poll though the local unit is keen to contest the seat.
UDP president Donkupar Roy said that the party was committed to support the chief minister despite the differences.
Prior to the formation of the MDA government, the UDP had proposed the name of Conrad to lead the government.
Roy said the differences of the local unit of party will be sorted out.
UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said talks were held with the party leaders in Garo Hills regarding the matter.
“We hope that good sense will prevail”, Mawthoh said.
On Ranikor by-poll, the UDP chief appealed to PDF chairman P N Syiem to support the UDP candidate Pius Marwein.
‘Syiem common candidate’
The PDF chief said he is the common candidate in Ranikor as he has the support of a section of UDP and NPP party leaders and members. “Other members of various political parties are also supporting me”, he said.
