Meghalaya by-poll

CORRESPONDENT
SHILLONG, July 29 – Six candidates have filed their nomination papers for the Laitumkhrah bye-poll in Meghalaya. The last date for filing nominations ended here today.

Minister in-charge Education Ampareen Lyngdoh is contesting the election on a Congress ticket to retain the seat, which she won on a United Democratic Party (UDP) ticket in the last Assembly elections. Malcolm Tariang who was denied a UDP ticket in favour of Lyngdoh in the last elections is fighting this time on a UDP ticket.

Lyngdoh was the first to file her nominations on Friday last. On Monday, Tariang, Hill State Peoples Democratic Party candidate Romeo Phira Rani and Independent candidate Aibok A Jyrwa filed their nominations.

Today, BJP nominee Stephan Nongbet and George Garry Nongkhlaw (Independent) filed their nominations before the Additional Deputy Commissioner VR Syiem.

The main contest is between Lyngdoh and Tariang. In the last Assembly election Tariang came second with Lyngdoh winning the seat with a slender margin of 1,500 votes.

Interestingly, the Meghalaya Democratic Party (MDP) candidate SB Nongdhar who bagged about 1,400 votes is supporting Tariang in the bye-election.

Moreover, Nongkhlaw who was a close aide of Lyngdoh has joined the fray and has already accused Lyngdoh of betraying the people of the constituency by quitting as an MLA and shifting sides.

In all likelihood the bye-poll would be keenly contested with Tariang having a slight edge over Lyngdoh with most of the other candidates focusing on Lyngdoh’s betrayal.

Meanwhile, the Returning Officer has fixed July 30 as the date of scrutiny and August 1 as the last date for withdrawal of nomination. Elections would be held on August 18 and counting on August 21. SOURCE: ASSAM TRIBUNE