Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today visited his old constituency, Selsella, which he represented in 2008 after winning his first election to the Meghalaya Assembly.
This was one of two campaign stops he made, the other saw him address an election meeting in Chokpot.
It was a whirlwind entry for Conrad to politics in 2008, where he went on to become the youngest Finance Minister the state had ever seen. However, the elation turned sour just five years later when he failed to hold on to his seat. He is now the MLA for South Tura, having won a by-election in 2018.
Speaking to the gathering there today, Conrad said “The people of Selsella have taught me politics, I have gained experience in politics from here. Elections will come and go, problems will come and go but one thing that will remain is our relationship. We all were born in Garo Hills, we are living in Garo Hills and we will end our lives in Garo Hills, so we all need to stay together.”
In 2018, the Congress held on to the constituency through Clement Marak, who passed away later than same year. Conrad’s National People’s Party (NPP) then won the resulting by-election with Ferlin CA Sangma but she has decamped for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after being snubbed by her own party.
The NPP is now putting its weight behind Arbinstone Marak, who Conrad went to bat for today.
“He is from Selsella and knows the concerns of this area and will rightfully represent the voice of the people,” the CM said.
At Chokpot, the NPP chief spoke at length on different development initiatives in South Garo Hills.
