TURA, APR 27: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma’s wife and sitting legislator from Mahendraganj Dikkanchi D. Shira and late Lok Sabha speaker Purno Agitok Sangma’s youngest sone Conrad Kongkal Sangma on Wednesday filed nomination papers before the returning officer Pravin Bakshi.
At 12:30 pm the Congress candidate for the Tura Lok Sabha seat Dikkanchi clad in traditional Garo attire arrived with party functionaries to file her nomination paper.
The sitting legislator was flanked by her brother-in-law sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma, social welfare minister Deborah Marak and a host of legislators including Cherak Momin, Bluebell M. Sangma, Brigady Marak, Ashahel D. Shira and Winnerson D. Sangma.
Speaking to reporters after filing the nomination paper Dikkanchi said, “This is my first step for the upcoming bye-election. I am fully prepared and I hope that my supporters and electorates of Garo hills will decide based on the state government’s vision and mission for development of Garo
hills to ensure my victory”.
Dikkanchi, who had won the 2013 assembly election, expressed her confidence that she will be able to represent the voice of the people and issues confronting Garo hills in the parliament.
When asked about Purno’s charisma, which is going to be a boost for the National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Conrad, Dikkanchi said, “His (Purno) chapter is closed. The people of Garo hills have to take a new direction and be conscious enough to vote for change”.
On the sympathy wave, which is likely to play a role in the bye-election, Dikkanchi said, “In history of by-election in Garo hills, sympathy wave has not played a role. I am confident that people will repose faith on me and the party”.
In 2014 by-election for Chokpot assembly constituency, which was held after the demise of sitting legislator Clifford Marak, the Congress had won the seat. Clifford’s wife Kalpana Sangma had contested the election from the party formed by her late husband Garo National Council (GNC).
At about 1:30 pm, NPP candidate and Congress arch political rival Conrad clad in traditional Garo headgear and jacket flanked by his doctor wife Mehtab Chandee, mother Soradini, sister and former union minister Agatha, legislator brother James, and former Rajya Sabha MP Thomas Sangma with party supporters arrived at the deputy commissioner’s office to file the nomination paper.
Speaking to reporters after filing his nomination Conrad said, “I will work to fulfill the dreams of my late father, who was our leader and our mentor. I have full faith that people of Garo hills will come out to ensure NPP candidate’s (himself) victory”.
When asked about issues plaguing Garo hills, he said, “There are unending issues and problems, we will raise the shortfall of the state government”.
When asked about Garoland and issue of militancy, which was his father’s agenda in the 2014 Lok Sabha election, Conrad said, “I endorse his (Purno) opinion on the issue. It will be my agenda as well. He (Purno) was of the view that India needs smaller states.”
When asked that the people, who have heard him speak say that Conrad lacks the wit and humor of his late father, he said, “My father’s was a complete man, he had many qualities, which are divided amongst all of us (four sibling). Agatha has the humor, James has the vision … (he smiles).-From Our Correspondent
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