CM, Paul among many to file nominations

SHILLONG, FEB 5: Chief minister Mukul Sangma was among the host of relatively young leaders, including UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh and former FKJGP leaders Sounder Strong Cajee and Sanbor Shullai, who filed their nominations papers for the February 23 Meghalaya Assembly elections on Tuesday.

While Sangma filed his papers as the Congress candidate from the Ampati seat in South West Garo Hills with Ampati returning officer and deputy commissioner Ram Singh , Lyngdoh is contesting from the new constituency of Shillong West, which was created after delimitation and includes his strongholds of Jaiaw and Lower Mawprem areas. Cajee is seeking to reenter the Assembly as an Independent from Shillong South where he will be locking horns with his former FKJGP mate Shullai, who is contesting as an NCP candidate. They both will be challenged by Congress’ Manas Chaudhuri, who filed his papers on Monday.

Speaking to reporters after filing his papers, the chief minister expressed the confidence that the Congress on its own will be able to form the next government. “I not only think, but I believe and I am confident that for the first time since the first Assembly elections, people of Meghalaya will give a clear mandate to the Congress,” he said.

Despite the Congress not announcing its chief ministerial candidate to avoid infighting before the elections, Sangma is widely expected to head the next government if the party on its own, or in alliance with other parties, comes back to power. Sangma though avoided commenting on the infighting in the Congress.

Sangma, however, said the people will vote for Congress on account of the number of development work done by the party-lead coalition government headed by him. “Our focus is on development. I am an optimist and always maintain that our focus is to address the issue of backwardness and poverty. That is exactly what we have proven by embarking upon new and innovative developmental programmes,” he said.

On Opposition allegations that he has been laying foundation stones for different projects only for the sake of publicity, Sangma quipped: “Is it not important for people to know what the government has sanctioned?  The scope for corruption comes in when people do not have information”.

Former KSU education secretary Embhah Syiemlieh also filed his nomination papers as the UDP candidate from the Mawlai constituency. (By Our Reporter)