JHADC list released, Cong sure of win

Pradesh Election Committee of the Congress which was chaired by MPCC President DD Lapang seen with chief minister and other members before releasing the party ticket for JHADC elections.Pix by WT Lytan

Shillong, January 27: The Congress released candidates list for the ensuing district council elections to the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) slated on February 24. But the list does not figure any woman candidate as the party said that not a single woman applied for the party ticket.

The list consist the name of JHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Madonbai Rymbai from Sohmynting – Khliehtyrshi and former CEMs, Lamdibok Sumer from War East and Hambertus Nongtdu from Rymbai Khliehriat.

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president DD Lapang told reporters on Monday, “We have cleared all the names of all 29 candidates for the JHADC after the Pradesh Election Committee (PEC) meeting.”

The MPCC had announced the list of candidates for the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) election too, but has put on hold three names.

Lapang said he is confident majority of the party candidates will win in the Khasi and Jaintia hills district councils election.

Lapang informed that the party will be working as a unit in Khasi ad Jaintia hills and the Congress is hoping to get majority in KHADC as well as JHADC.

Lapang also iterated that the Congress is transparent and democratic in principles and give based on the winability factor. Answering a query as to why there is no woman candidate for the JHADC elections, Lapang said, “This is the question I should be asking myself. They have not come forward and apply for the ticket. In fact next time, we should jointly encourage them to apply.”

Reacting to a query whether money has also been part of the party’s criteria, Lapang thundered , “”Money is not everything, everywhere and every day. All Congress candidates are not rich people and not coal mine mafias or businessmen or anything and there are people who have won without the power of money.”

With regard to the educational qualification of the candidates Lapang said that modern day politics demands educated qualified people, but qualification doesn’t mean degrees only as there are people who are hardly matriculate but they do well in governance.

Speaking about the jilted candidates who have been denied Congress ticket Lapang said that the party is persuading them not to be rebellious but work together as the party cannot give tickets to all the aspirants. However he said the party cannot stop those who think they have bring future by contesting without the party ticket.

Following are the Congress candidates for JHADC:

(1)Holando Lamin from War-Central

(2)Herman Khonglah from War-West

(3) Hermon Phawa-Mukhla-Wahiajer

(4) Laitsingh Shylla – Ummulong Moodymmai

(5) Celius Biam – Nongbah

(6)Thombor Shiwat – Nartiang Umladang

(7) Bijoy Niang – Nongjngi

(8) Pheinshwa Nanglein – Mynsngat Khanduli

(9) Brington Shylla – Shilliang Myntang

(10) Paia Dhar – Barato Mukhroh

(11) Bhawan Chyrmang – Saphai