TURA, APR 22: National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad Kongkal Sangma, a former Meghalaya minister and youngest son of late Purno Agitok Sangma, will contest the Tura Lok Sabha by-poll, slated for May 16.
The decision was taken on Friday at Purno’s Walbakgre residence, where party functionaries from across Meghalaya were present. Purno’s wife Soradini Kongkal Sangma announced the candidature of Conrad.
Conrad had taken over the reign of the party as its national president after the demise of his father last month. He had represented Selsella constituency from 2008 – 2013 in Meghalaya legislative assembly.
In the 2013 assembly election, Conrad had lost to Congress candidate Clement Marak, who is present power minister of the state. There was jubilation in the NPP camp with Conrad’s name being cleared for the upcoming contest.
Conrad will file his nomination on April 27.
His officially campaign will kick off from Adokgre village in North Garo Hills either on April 25 or April 28.
“It has been a tradition that my father kicked off his campaign from Adokgre village. So, I will keep the tradition alive”, said Conrad to this website.
He informed that his elder brother a sitting legislator in Meghalaya James Kongkal Sangma and his sister Agatha Kongkal Sangma, a former union minister and his mother Soradini Kongkal Sangma would accompany him for his campaigns.
He will take on Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma’s wife Dikkanchi D. Shira, a sitting legislator from Mahendraganj.
In Garo hills, the political drama has centered on Mukul and Purno’s campaign. Mukul has never left any stones unturned to win over the hearts of the electorates. In 2014 Lok Sabha election, when Purno was in straight fight with young Congress candidate Daryl William Momin, the chief minister was seen campaigning aggressively to ensure victory for Momin.
It was a battle of words between Mukul and Purno.
Though Purno won the election with 38,000 plus votes margin but politically naïve Momin managed to secure 1.90 lakh plus votes.
When asked how prepared was he to take on Congress candidate Dikkanchi, Conrad said, “She is a respectable person, a sitting legislator and wife of chief minister Mukul Sangma. It will not be an easy fight but NPP is ready”.
He said that his campaign will focus on his father’s legacy and dreams for Garo hills. “My father had enjoyed support, love and affection of the people of Garo hills as he represented the people for 10 consecutive times. I will definitely work to fulfill his dreams. However, we are not going to ignore other factors as it will be a fight between NPP candidate (himself) and Mukul Sangma”.
The by-poll holds immense significance for Conrad and NPP as a party. In the 2013 assembly election, NPP had managed to win only two seats in the house of 60 members.
Though in district council election held last year NPP secured 10 seats in the 29 members’ house and became the single largest party. The challenge for NPP lies ahead.
Political pundits say that Conrad has two major tasks to accomplish: to carry on the legacy of his late father and fulfill his unaccomplished dreams; and to win over the hearts of the tribals across the country.
The election is definitely a test for the NPP as the Congress is all out to take on Conrad at his father’s citadel. Congress party is hoping that Purno’s absence will prove to be a big boost for them. However, NPP looks charged up to emerge as a political force.-From Our Correspondent
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