TURA, OCT 15: The National People’s Party (NPP) edge- pass the Congress by clinching 10 of the 29 Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) seat followed closely by Congress and Independents with 7 seats each, Garo National Council with 3 seats and the BJP and NCP winning one seat each in the result declared on Friday.
With support from the GNC and BJP the NPP is bracing to form the next GHADC executive committee. On papers it is possible for the NPP to form the EC but with the absence of the anti-defection law in district council, such calculation might get tossed out of the window specially with the presence of 7 Independent MDCs.
Four NPP MDCs managed to retain their seats. They are Denang T Sangma from Williamnagar, Boston Marak from Nogorpara, Sukharam Sangma from Rongrong and Dipul Sangma from Rochonpara.
All the members of the earlier executive committee including its chairman Purno K. Sangma and chief executive member Alphonse Sangma lost the elections from Jengjal and Siju respectively.
The biggest surprise, however, was the Garo National Council, whose founder Clifford Marak passed away few months back. Clifford was the lone MLA from the party and represented Chokpot constituency in the Meghalaya legislative assembly for four terms.
His nephew Augustine Marak won from Silkigre, Wenison Marak from Rongrikimgre and Jinbirth Marak from Amongpara.
Two non-indigenous candidates Sofiur Rahman (independent) and SG Esmatur Mominin (NPP) won Shyamnagar and Balachanda constituencies.
The run up to the election saw protest by civil organisations and militants against non-indigenous voters and candidates’
participation in the GHADC elections.
Both Rahman and Mominin said that they would strongly oppose move to exclude non-indigenous people’s participation from the council. “People in plain belt areas have voted me to ensure to protect their right to vote. I will fulfill their aspiration and will oppose tooth and nail and move to exclude non-tribals from district council”, said Rahman.
Bhupendra Hajong of BJP defeated INC candidate Jogadish Hajong in chief minister Mukul Sangma wife Dikkanchi D. Shira’s home ground Zikzak constituency. The BJP also gave a good show at Naguapara constituency, where it came second. Dhormonath Sangma of
Congress won the Naguapara constituency with a margin of 2097 votes.
NPP working Conrad Sangma thanked the people of Garo hills for giving mandate for non-Congress parties. “As single largest party we will stake claim with support from BJP and GNC candidates. BJP has assured to lend their support to us. We are in talking terms with GNC”, he said.
He also informed that they are in touch with independent candidates and are expecting them to lend their support to NPP.
When asked, what will be NPP’s role on the demand of exclusion of non-indigenous peoples participation in council, Conrad said, “We will hold talks with all stakeholders and political parties and will take a consensus decision”.
Expressing confidence that BJP led NDA will extend all support for strengthening council, Conrad said, “If we form the executive committee, we will seek support from Congress in the state and BJP in the centre for ensuring all parameters to strengthen the council”.
Working president of Congress Deborah C. Marak accepted the mandate for the party. She said, “We accept the defeat. We will reason out why it happened. We thank the people for giving mandate to our candidates”.
National spokesperson of BJP and in charge of Meghalaya Nalin Kohli said, “The BJP thanks the people of Zikzak for placing their faith in the party. The GHADC results are a clear rejection of the Congress party and its politics of non-performance. The NPP and BJP are working jointly to stake claim for the formation of executive committee”.
In the prestigious Tura constituency, where 10 candidates were in fray independent candidate Rupert M. Sangma won by a narrow margin of 164 votes defeating Bernard Marak, a rebel turned politician.- From Our Correspondent
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