By Philip Marweiñ
With the screening of nominations papers of candidates being over the elections processes are nearly half-done. The real deadbeat is the tuzzling and scrambling among the 375 candidates to garner as many votes as possible among the 21.62 Lakh voters from 60 constituencies of the state.
In Jaintia Hills the indications are that from Nartiang ST (reserved constituency) the tuzzle is mainly among Generous Paslein (Ind), Emlang Laloo (INC) and Sniawbhalang Dhar(Npp), in Mookaiaw ST between Nujorki Sungoh (Udp), Robinus Syngkon (NPP) and Lasting Suchiang (TMC), in Raliang – Nongbah ST the close fight is between Lakhon Biam (BJP) and Comingone Ymbon (NPP), in Sutnga-Saipung ST the most keenly contested candidates are between Sancta Mary Shylla (NPP) and Vincent H Pala (INC), in Khliehriat ST the most interesting challenge is between Kyrmen Shylla (UDP) and Nehlang Lyngdoh (NPP), in Jowai ST the most keenly contested is between A. Andrew Shullai (TMC) and Wyllad Shylla (NPP) while in Amlarem ST the most keenly watched contest is between the sitting MLA Lahkmen Rymbui (Udp) and Stephenson Mukhim (NPP).
Turning to Garo Hills as a whole the real contest for supremacy is between the NPP and the TMC though only in very few constituencies the struggle is among the three parties the INC, TMC and NPP. Like in a Williamnagar ST the keen contest is among Mrs. Deborah Marak INC, Marcuise Marak NPP and Alphonsus R Marak TMC.
In Songsak ST the real contest is between between Dr. Mikul Sangma of TMC and Champion Sangma of INC though it looks like all three, including Nihim D Shira of NPP, are head to head. In Rongjeng ST the keen contest is between Jim M Sangma NPP and Sengnam Marak TMC. In Kharkutta ST the fierce fight is between Cherak A Momin TMC and Rupert Momin NPP followed closely by Chereng Marak INC. In Mendipathar ST Subroto Marak of UDP, Ferdinand D Shira of TMC and Marathon Sangma of NPP are too close to call. In Resubelpara ST Timothy Shira of NPP, Dr. T. K Marak of INC and Rinaldo Sangma of TMC are head to head however Timothy Shira has age and incumbency issues.
In Bajengdoba ST Pongseng R Marak of NPP seems to be head to head with Tengrang R. Marak of TMC and Brigady Marak of INC. In Rongara-Siju ST Rakkam Sangma of NPP seems to be slightly ahead of Rajesh M Marak of TMC and Rophul Marak of INC but there is time factor and anything may turn the tide. In Baghmara ST Samuel Sangma of the BJP may create a record for his party in the constituency.
However, Alphonse Sangma of INC and Sartto Marak of NPP will fight hard to block the record of winning this segment.
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