District Council elections
NONGSTOIN: Out of the five constituencies in West Khasi Hills District, the most closely contested seat would be witnessed at Pariong- Mawthadraishan.
All three candidates- Brolding Nongsiej (UDP), Dr Fenela L Nonglait (HSPDP) and J C Diengngan (INC) are stalwarts of the constituency.
While Nongsiej is the incumbent MLA of the constituency, Dr Fenela was the runners up in the Assembly elections that took place last year. Dr Fenela lost to Nongsiej by a narrow margin of about 400 votes. J C Diengngan recently joined the INC. He was earlier a member of the UDP.
Brolding being the MLA of the area has an upper hand. Last assembly elections’ independent candidate Irene Lyngdoh has decided not to contest but to back Brolding Nongsiej.
This would definitely add a couple of hundred votes to Nongsiej’s favour. From the people’s point of view, Dr Fenela appears to the clear favourite amongst the three candidates.
Her charisma and oratory skill has made her a favourite among the masses, not to mention her doctorate degree in law. J C Diengngan’s generosity amongst the needy in the constituency is much talked about.
Prior to the last assembly elections, Diengngan had donated an ambulance for the area, which was very much appreciated by the people of the area.
Taking all these into perspective, the contest would be a close one and the winner would only win by a hair line margin.
In Mairang, out of the three candidates- Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP), Lawrence Basaiaimoit (INC), and Councellor Wahlang (HSPDP), incumbent MLA Metbah Lyngdoh is likely to bag the MDC seat.
Mairang besides being a UDP stronghold has voted the towering personality and charisma of Metbah Lyngdoh for two consecutive terms in the assembly elections.
The other two candidates are first timers and stand no match for Metbah Lyngdoh.
Political analysts in Mairang and West Kahsi Hills District are confident that Metbah would soon become the MLA cum MDC of Mairang.
