Zenith M Sangma of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) filed his nomination papers to run for the Tura Lok Sabha seat today.
He is a former cabinet minister in the state government during the premiership of his brother, Dr Mukul Sangma, but lost his Rangsakona seat in 2023. Now, he is seeking to enter Parliament by deposing incumbent Agatha Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP).
Zenith was accompanied to the Returning Officer’s office by Mukul, who is MLA for Songsak, and other TMC leaders from Garo Hills.
To win, Zenith will have to fight strongly in the four-cornered contest. The other two runners are Gambegre MLA Saleng Sangma of the Congress Party and former civil servant and independent candidate Labenn Ch Marak. Zenith is the last to file nomination papers.
The TMC is banking on the strength of the Mukul-led family. Out of the party’s five MLAs, four are from Garo Hills – Mukul, Miani D Shira (the former’s daughter), Rupa M Marak and Dr Mizanur Rahman Kazi.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee will address election meetings in Garo Hills to drum up support for Zenith.
Apart from the duo, Manas Ranjan Bhunia, an MLA in West Bengal, Mukul and TMC state president Charles Pyngrope MLA are among the other star campaigners for the party.
