Our Special Correspondent
TURA:
A total of 28 candidates spread across 24 assembly constituencies in Garo Hills have so far filed their nomination papers to contest the February 27 elections with some candidates displaying a massive show of strength by marching through towns with hordes of supporters in the hope of politically intimidating their rivals as campaigning picks up.
Some of the most prominent candidates who have so far filed their nominations hail from the Congress and the ruling National People’s Party (NPP).
Tikrikilla legislator Jimmy D Sangma who is taking on heavyweight Mukul Sangma of the TMC filed his papers at Tura DC office, while a day earlier, another bitter opponent of Mukul Sangma, former NPP MLA Nihim D Shira filed his nomination to take on Mukul from his second constituency of Songsak that he currently represents.
Meghalaya chief minister had told crowds of supporters at election meetings in Tikrikilla and Bajengdoba, on Thursday, that the former chief minister has made a blunder in deciding to contest from two seats as a section of voters from both seats have expressed scepticism given that he would need to vacate one in the eventuality of winning either.
“No one wants to elect a leader only to see him resign a month later to retain the other seat. He (Mukul) has made the biggest blunder of his political career because we are winning both seats that he is contesting,” said Conrad Sangma confidently.
In Ampati constituency, once loyalist and now opponent of Mukul Sangma, sitting Boldamgre MDC Stevie Marak filed his nomination to challenge the former chief minister’s daughter and sitting legislator Miani D Shira.
Leading a crowd of several hundred people, the NPP candidate marched to the returning officer’s nomination centre to put up his papers.
Another opponent of Mukul Sangma, Congress candidate Uttora G Sangma, whose father and sitting MLA was defeated by Mukul Sangma during the latter’s maiden entry into politics, filed her nomination to take on Miani D Shira.
Former minister Sayedullah Nongrum was one of the oldest candidates among today’s nominees to file his papers for Mahendraganj constituency where he is taking on Mukul Sangma’s wife and sitting MLA Dikkanchi D Shira.
Sayedullah’s son Noor Nongrum has filed his papers to contest from Tikrikilla, against Mukul Sangma and Jimmy Sangma.
In what can be termed as a contest among candidates to show who can muster the biggest crowds of supporters, sitting MDC Nathawal S Marak challenged his Independent rival Kartush R Marak with an equal strength in numbers for Baghmara seat in South Garo Hills.
On Thursday, Independent Khartush Marak had filled the entire stretch of the Baghmara main bridge with several thousand supporters as they marched to the DC office to file nomination.
Not to be outdone, and to prove a point or two, Independent Nathawal S Marak also followed in similar fashion with an equal or more number of supporters. Though critics claim the very people who walked on Thursday also did a repeat today with the other candidate.
Others who filed their nomination papers included NPP MLA from Rongara-Siju Rakkam A Sangma, GHADC Chairman and NPP MDC Sengchim N Sangma along with Deputy CEM of GHADC and Garo National Council candidate Nikman Ch Marak for Chokpot seat, NPP MDC Rakesh A Sangma for Gambegre seat where he is facing a tough challenge from Congress candidate Saleng A Sangma, NPP MDC Arbinstone B Marak for Selsella, former NPP MLA and now Trinamool candidate S G Esmatur Mominin for Phulbari, former MLA Limison D Sangma for Raksamgre, Andreash Momin (UDP), Bipul Ch Sangma (UDP), Diraj D Marak and former MLA Kennethson Sangma (both Independents) for Dalu, Dr M Mizanur Rahman Kazi (AITC) for Rajabala, and Congress candidates Dr Tweel K Marak (Resubelpara), Brigady N Marak (Bajengdoba), Timjim K Momin (Mendipathar), and NPP leader and Tura MP Agatha K Sangma’s own brother in law Chireng Peter R Marak as the Congress candidate for Kharkutta.