TURA, JUNE 30: Congress candidate Bluebell Sangma clinched the Chokpot assembly seat beating her nearest National Peoples’ Party (NPP) rival Philipole Marak by a convincing 2550 votes. The result of the Chokpot bypoll was declared on Tuesday.
The Congress had to wait for 20 long years to wrestled back the seat.
Bluebell secured 8042 votes while NPP candidate Philipole bagged 5492 votes. The bypoll was held on June 27. Late Clifford Marak widow polled 5009 votes relegating her to the third place ahead of Independent candidate Thinkerwin Marak who polled 1189 votes.
Obviously the sympathy wave expected by the GNC did not happened as the voters chose to vote for the Congress candidate who was fighting on the development mantra for the constituency.
In 2013 assembly election, Bluebell had contested from NCP ticket but lost. She is wife of former minister Masonsing Sangma, who had won Chokpot constituency in 1993 as Congress candidate.
Masongsing, a Purno Sangma loyalist had later shifted to NCP and joined the NPP. He passed away just ahead of 2013 assembly election.
The bye-poll was a test for the Congress party ahead of the district council election in Garo hills. The win of Bluebell increases the tally of the Congress in Meghalaya assembly to 30 seats.
Of course, the Chokpot election is of an academic interest to political parties as it will not change the party equation vis-à-vis the power struggle in state politics.
In 2013, Clifford of GNC won with 5558 votes defeating Philipole of NPP, who secured 5073 votes. In 2008, Masonsing of NCP won the seat with 3888 votes defeating Clifford, who had secured 2935 votes. In 2003, Masonsing (NCP) won the seat with 5122 votes defeating Clifford, who had secured 3068 votes.
“I thank the people of Chokpot constituency for giving me the mandate. I assure to look into the issues of the people. I will work for peace and development”, said an elated Bluebell over phone from Baghmara.
She also thanked chief minister and other party leaders, workers, whose constant support and motivation made her win this election.
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma termed the victory for the Congress as a great day for Chokpot.
“I convey my heartiest congratulation to the people, party cadre at grassroot, who came together. Their unified effort has motivated the people and the result is demonstration of faith. The people have accepted the developmental agenda of the government”, said the chief minister.
When asked, whether Bluebell will be inducted in any parliamentary secretary post, the chief minister said, “We will look into the issue of how we can involve her productively and ensure that she becomes an agent of development and contribute for the welfare of the people with the government”.
The chief minister had addressed several campaign rallies in the run up to the bypoll and had sought peoples’ support for the party. He had asked the people of Chokpot to be united and vote for candidate, who can represent their voice and aspirations.
“My congratulation goes to all grassroots workers and the electorates who have come out in large number to vote for the Congress candidate. The victory of the Congress is a result of peoples’ willingness for change”, said Deborah Marak, social welfare minister and working president of Meghalaya Congress party.
Assuring that the party will live to the expectations of the people, Deborah Marak said, “The people of Chokpot have seen backwardness for years. The economic condition coupled with insurgency has made their lives difficult. It will be an onus on the government to resolve their long pending problems and demands”.
Meghalaya youth congress president Richard Marak congratulated the people of Chokpot for deciding to have chosen development. “The people wanted change and development and they have made their choice and won. The victory is Chokpot’s victory. We look forward to working with the youth of the region towards creating a brighter and productive future”, Marak added.
In last 15 years, candidates who had won from Chokpot assembly constituency had always been in opposition. The by-election campaign was fought on issues of development.
In every election rally, the Congress party assured the people of Chokpot that the party is committed for an overall holistic development of the state. The elated Congress workers across Garo hills erupted in joy soon after the results were announced at around 10:10 am in Baghmara.
At Baghmara, the district headquarter of South Garo Hills, where the counting took place, the Congress party celebrated their victory. Congress candidate Bluebell Sangma was also present at Baghmara Congress Bhavan.
After collecting her winning papers from the returning officer of Chokpot bypoll Tangseng Momin, Bluebell headed for Chokpot to thank the people.- By Our Reporter
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