The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) finally announced its list of candidates today for the upcoming February 27 Assembly election, with five incumbent legislators in the fray.
The saffron party will field aspirants in all 60 seats and has reposed faith in its two sitting MLAs – South Shillong’s Sanbor Shullai and Pynthorumkhrah’s AL Hek – while also awarding tickets to four incumbent MLAs who defected to the BJP in recent months – Ferlin CA Sangma (Selsella), Himalaya Shangpliang (Mawsynram), Benedic Marak (Raksamgre) and Samuel Sangma (Baghmara). The latter resigned from the Assembly only today morning; he had won the Baghmara seat in 2018 as an independent.
Member of the GHADC, Bernard Marak, was given the ticket for South Tura despite his ongoing police case, while Martin Danggo, who recently quit the National People’s Party, will run under the party’s banner for Ranikor. BJP state president Ernest Mawrie, meanwhile, is the party’s choice for the West Shillong seat.
The most anticipated result was that of North Shillong, where there were two major contenders.
At one point there were four men who wanted the ticket – Mariahom Kharkrang, Michael Kharsyntiew, Martamlin Pyrbot and JA Lyngdoh. The latter quit to join the Congress Party (and was given the ticket) while Pyrbot decided to support Kharsyntiew.
Kharkrang, who incidentally lives just across the road from Lyngdoh in Riatsamthiah, is a former Inspector General of Police. He took early retirement before joining the saffron party and was named spokesperson.
Kharsyntiew had, much earlier, gained some attention by projecting himself as a social worker during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite all the signs pointing towards the BJP picking Kharkrang, he kept up his candidature and even recently visited homes in the North Shillong constituency to drum up support.
Now it remains to be seen whether Kharsyntiew will accept the party’s decision gracefully.
In an exclusive interview with Highland Post, Kharkrang’s first reaction was gratitude to the election committee of the party for reposing faith in him.
With 37 years of public service behind him, Kharkrang is a known name not just in North Shillong but across the state.
One of the main points on his agenda is security. He said that with his experience as a police officer he will be able to bring about that sense of security that has been lacking.
“As people of the state, we need to live in harmony and there shouldn’t be any restriction just because one belongs to a particular community and not allowed to move to other localities. That is not the way that we can progress in this modern world,” Kharkrang said. North Shillong includes neighbourhoods like Jaiaw, where hostility and even violence towards non-Khasis has been a recurring theme for years.
However, the constituency also includes significant populations of non-tribals and he could find support there as a member of the nationally popular BJP.
North Shillong is also home to one of the biggest commercial areas in the state.
“I will go with the agenda of the party as a whole – ‘BJP for development’ – and whatever our national leadership has been talking about is all about development. It is evident in all BJP-ruled states and I will take advantage of that and showcase what it will be like if BJP rules Meghalaya,” Kharkrang said.
Meanwhile, there are four former legislators contesting on the saffron party ticket. They comprise Danggo (Ranikor), Diostarness Jyndiang (Nongstoin), Elstone D Marak (Kharkutta) and Edmund K Sangma (Phulbari).
Interestingly, Danggo and Marak are former Speakers of the Assembly.
Names of two sitting MDCs also figured in the list. They are Bernard (South Tura) and Dipul R Marak (Rangsakona). Former MDC David Kharsati also got the party ticket to contest from Nongthymmai.
Six women candidates are in the list and include Marian Maring (Nongpoh), Riya Sangma (Jirang), Arena Hynniewta (Shella), Darikmen L. Marshilong (Mawthadraishan) and Betty Jyrwa (Mawkyrwat).
From East Khasi Hills, the list also featured the name of State BJP president Ernest Mawrie (Shillong West), Highlander Kharmalki (Mawryngkneng), Wandonbok Jyrwa (Mawlai), Wankitbok Pohshna (East Shillong), Sameul Hashah (Mylliem), David T Kharkongor (Nongkrem), Seraph Eric Kharbuki (Sohiong), Wossaroi Rani (Mawphlang), Rowelly Khongsni (Pynursla), Michael Ronnie Kshiar (Sohra) and Counsellor Mukhim (Mawkynrew).
From Ri-Bhoi, the candidates are Dr. Everist Myrsing (Mawhati), Duruth Majaw (Umsning) and Shanbor Ramde (Umroi).
From West Khasi Hills, the candidates are Sparsterlin Nongrem (Rambrai-Jyrngam) and Bijoy Kynter (Mawshynrut). From Eastern West Khasi Hills, the lone BJP candidate is Mark Rinaldy Sawkmie (Mairang).
From West Jaintia Hills, the BJP candidates are Rimiki Sari (Nartiang), Allan Keith Suchiang (Jowai), Lakhon Biam (Raliang), Currentis Rabon (Mokaiaw) and Firstborn Manner (Amlarem).
From East Jaintia Hills, the candidates are Krison Langstang (Sutnga-Saipung) and Bhayes Chyrmang (Khliehriat).
From Garo Hills, the BJP candidates are Sengnab Ch Momin (Mendipathar), Sukharam K. Sangma (Resubelpara), Herrendro A. Sangma (Bajengdoba), Thomas N. Marak (Songsak), Rapiush Ch Marak (Rongjeng), Raknang Ch Momin (Williamnagar), Rahinath Barchung (Tikrikilla), Braining R. Marak (Dadenggre), Adamkid M. Sangma (North Tura), Premananda Koch (Ampati),Tingki N. Marak (Mahendraganj), Boston Marak (Salmanpara), Daniel M. Sangma (Gambegre), Akki A. Sangma (Dalu), Calis G. Momin (Rongara Siju) and Novembirth Ch Marak (Chokpot).
