Our Special Correspondent
TURA:
Sitting legislator from Tikrikilla, Jimmy D Sangma, on January 6 said he is “undeterred” by the entry of Trinamool heavyweight and former chief minister Mukul Sangma in his bastion.
In nothing short of a boxer’s “bring it on” taunt, the Tikrikilla MLA and National People’s Party (NPP) candidate has indicated it could be the former chief minister’s ‘Waterloo’ terming himself a local who is being pitted against an ‘outsider’.
“Voters are looking for a local candidate who can listen to and address their grievances. Everyone in Tikrikilla knows that there is an NPP wave and the next government will be formed by the NPP. Nobody wants to be in the opposition camp which is why there is no public support for the Trinamool,” claims Jimmy D Sangma while speaking to The Meghalayan shortly after the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) released its first list of candidates naming Mukul Sangma for Tikrikilla.
Since Mukul will have to leave one seat, should he attain victory in both during the elections, the Tikrikilla legislator says voters are not amused by the move of the former chief minister.
“Why will voters cast in favour of someone who ditches them leading to another election in less than six months. It is harassment. Voters are smart, they know which button to press,” says Jimmy Sangma.
He believes the contest will be between the NPP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the saffron party is planning to field Rahinath Barchung who came second in the last assembly elections.
Then there is also the case of sitting GHADC MDC Dhhormonath Ch Sangma who had sought the BJP ticket and has so far not indicated he will step down from the upcoming contest, Independent or otherwise.