Shillong, Oct 18 (Agency) Electioneering for the the bye-polls to three assembly constituencies in Meghalaya, slated for October 30 is gaining steam with contesting candidates and their respective party leaders campaigning in full swing to woo the voters. Bye-elections will be held for the Mawryngkneng, Mawphlang and Rajabala assembly seats, which fell vacant due to the death of sitting legislators. Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, who is president of the National People’s Party (NPP), which heads the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA), has already launched his -leg of electioneering for his party candidates. Senior Congress leader, Dr. Mukul Sangma, who is also the Leader of Opposition, launched his campaign for party’s Rajabala candidate, Hashina Yasmin Mondal. Mondal, who is widow of late legislator Azad Zaman has also been campaigning to try and retain the seat of her late husband.
Former legislator, Ashahel D Shira, who had earlier this year won the election to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council is contesting on the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) ticket, while Kingstone B Marak is the BJP candidate for Rajabala constituency. The UDP and BJP are partners in the MDA government. For the Mawphlang assembly seat, which fell vacant due to the demise of sitting Independent legislator, Syntar Klas Sunn, his son and India’s national footballer Eugeneson Lyngdoh is contesting on a UDP ticket in a effort to carry forward his late father’s legacy. Lyngdoh is pitched against two seasoned politicians – former legislator Kennedy C Khyriem of the Congress and four-time Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) member Lamphrang Blah of the NPP. In Mawryngkneng, KHADC chairman and Sohryngkham MDC Pyniaid Sing Syiem of the NPP will be contesting against the opposition Congress nominee Highlander Kharmalki and three others including KHNAM candidate Esron Marwein and two Independent candidates – Arbiangkam Kharsohmat and Norbert Marboh. Marboh had quit the Congress after he was denied party ticket. Altogether there are 13 candidates in the fray for the three assembly constituencies – five each in Rajabala and Mawryngkneng and three in Mawphlang. The counting of votes will be taken up on November 2. “The outcome of the assembly bye-elections will be a reflection of the public mood of the people of the State on the performance of the MDA government and is therefore important and is being contested with full vigour,” said a political observer, even as he mentioned that the bye-election results could have a significant impact on the political equation within the ruling alliance.