SHILLONG: The KHADC elections have resurrected the political fortunes of some senior and experienced leaders of the state, who had virtually gone into hibernation after losing the Assembly elections in 2018.
Be it Congress leader Ronnie V lyngdoh, former KHADC CEM PN Syiem, UDP leader Paul Lyngdoh, veteran leader Martle N Mukhim or Titos Chyne, all of them have come back hard and strong to manage the affairs of the KHADC after winning the elections, the results of which were declared on Saturday.
Paul Lyngdoh won from Jaiaw constituency securing 5152 votes and defeating Congress’s Auguster Jyrwa by a margin of 771 votes.
Former Cabinet minister and Congress leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh won from Mylliem as he secured 11413 votes while closest rival Teilinia Syiem Thangkhiew secured 9298 votes.
Martle N Mukhim, who won an election after 11 years from Mawkynriew constituency, secured 10461 votes while his nearest rival Amanda Annette Pakyntein got 9216 votes.
PN Syiem defeated his closest rival James Ban Basaiawmoit of the PDF by 240 votes in Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah constituency.
It may be mentioned that many of the senior leaders had unsuccessfully contested the last assembly elections held in 2018.
Sharing their views on what role the senior leaders can play in KHADC, Ronnie V Lyngdoh said that all along previous MDCs have belittled the district council and it was high time that the people put their trust in the more experienced and senior people to manage the affairs of the council since it is an important institution as far as law-making is concerned. “It is also an important institution as far as tribal population of the state is concerned and not a place to fight for power only,” he said.
Echoing similar views, former MLA and UDP MDC, Paul Lyngdoh, said that the senior leaders can give the council a “new sense of direction”.
“We can probably also infuse the much desired wisdom which was lacking in the district council,” he said.
