19- South Shillong

By Nabarun Goswami

The 19-Shillong constituency could witness the most interesting poll battle in Shillong (Urban) with two sitting legislators, Sanbor Shullai (NCP) and Manas Chaudhuri (Congress), along with other serious contenders in fray for the February 23 polls.

Delimitation, despite changing the demography of the erstwhile 22-Laban constituency, is not expected to be a game changer here. However, it has certainly made the battle for the ballot more interesting than ever.

Sitting Mawprem legislator, Manas Chaudhuri, who is contesting on a Congress ticket enters the newly delimited constituency with areas like Rilbong and Jhalupara which belonged to the erstwhile 21-Mawprem constituency.

The presence of the likes of Edward Kharwanlong (UDP) and Augustine Lakiang (BJP) only intensifies the contest as both have the capacity to pull votes. Independent candidate Sounder Cajee has also gained ground with his aggressive campaigning of late.

NPP’s Mehboob Lyngdoh and SP’s Binod Kr Joshi can also play spoilsport in the bigwigs bank.

History

Traditionally a BJP stronghold since Late Thrang Hok Rangad came to power in 1998 the erstwhile 22-Laban constituency saw a change of guard when Sanbor Shullai (NCP) took over the reigns in 2008.

However, prior to that, after the death of Rangad, the September 2003 by-elections saw Rangad’s wife Jopsimon Phanbuh representing the constituency. Shullai who contested from NCP could secure only 1475 votes compared to Phanbuh’s 3114.

However, in the changed political scenario, in 2008 elections, Shullai won the seat securing 4741 votes. His closest contender was Edward Kharwanlong (then BJP) who bagged 2303 votes. However, with delimitation and addition of candidates who have the firepower to attract ballots, it would not be a cakewalk for any of the aspiring legislators this year.

Dual contest

The talk of the constituency has been about the contest between two sitting legislators Shullai and Chaudhuri.

Shullai took the reign at a time when the constituency was facing a sort of leadership crisis after the demise of BJP legislator Late TH Rangad.

Popularly known as Bah Thrang, Rangad died in 2003, a few months after he was re-elected from the erstwhile 22-Laban constituency.

The supporters of Shullai feel that their leader established himself well after coming to power in 2008 and over the years has created enough goodwill to be tagged as one of the favourite candidates for the February 23 polls.

Lumparing, Riat Laban, Kench’s Trace etc., are considered to be his strongholds.

Chaudhuri on the other hand, comes to the constituency from the erstwhile 21-Mawprem constituency.

The delimitation effect for him, however, is negated by the fact that areas like Jhalupara, Rilbong and Paltan Bazar have passed over to Shillong South from his previous constituency.

The Congress candidate enjoys exceptional support in Rilbong area whereas Jhalupara and Laban could also offer him the much needed backing.

The fact that as many as five tribal candidates are in fray in the constituency could be the ultimate deciding factor.

Dark horses, almost

Though not considered the prime contender, UDP’s Edward Kharwanlong can tilt a surprise and affect the outcome of the polls. Kharwanlong was second only to Shullai in the 2008 election when he contested on a BJP ticket. He has no dearth of goodwill in Laban, where he is the Rangbah Shnong. However, people of the constituency have observed that Kharwanlong’s ‘lack of desirable reach’ in certain parts of the constituency could be the single most important factor affecting his chances.

Despite this, the UDP candidate can still be a force to reckon with on D-day.

Meanwhile, Laban which was considered a BJP stronghold once could add fillip to the party’s candidate Augustine Lakiang. The media shy candidate has taken the campaign seriously and made strides to ensure he is taken seriously by the electorates. The fact that the party put special focus on the constituency hints at Lakiang’s chances to make amends for the BJP.

However, the first-timer is up against tougher sitting legislators apparently better equipped for the battle at hand. Reports of some BJP unit workers joining NCP ranks have, however, proved to be a deterrent for Lakiang.

A league of his own

With his aggressive campaigning and taking the opponents head on, Independent candidate Sounder Cajee has undoubtedly succeeded in making his presence felt in a constituency which was alien to him till the last election.

Sounder also raised a few eyebrows when he stated that NCP’s Shullai forced him to contest from the constituency.

However, despite all the action surrounding his campaigns, Cajee who is not a known face in the constituency faces the uphill task of convincing people that he can deliver the goods.

Game changers, maybe

NPP’s Mehboob Lyngdoh and SP’s Binod Kr Joshi are also trying to woo voters and can bite away chunks from the share of others which could as well prove decisive eventually.

Joshi (Congress) had earned a substantial number of votes in the 2008 election finishing second behind Chaudhuri (then Ind). However, following delimitation, the son of the former MLA of the erstwhile Mawprem constituency DN Joshi is unlikely to enjoy the same clout this time round.

Lyngdoh on the other hand represents a party which stands for the rights and aspirations of tribal people and if the idea goes down well with the residents of the constituency, he can as well make a mark.

Conclusion

Irrespective of all the publicity and efforts put in by various political parties to woo the public, factors like proper supply of water, well maintained roads, lighted streets and above all, security of the people will play on the mind of the voters as they cast the ballot.

CANDIDATES

1. Sanbor Shullai, NCP Symbol- Clock

2. Manas Chaudhuri, INC Symbol- Hand

3. Edward Kharwanlang, UDP Symbol-Drum

4. Augustine Lakiang, BJP Symbol-Lotus

5. Sounder S Cajee, Ind Symbol- Battery Torch

6. Mehboob K Lyngdoh, NPP Symbol- Book

7. Binod Kr Joshi, SP Symbol- Bicycle

Total no of voters: 27559

Male 13881

Female 13827

No of voters in some areas of the constituency:

No of voters in some areas of the constituency:

*Lumparing (East, West) -2481

*Riat Laban (East, West) – 1064

*Madan Laban (North, South) – 1514

*Laban (Three pine colony, Lumkartic, Assam Club) – 2164

*Laban (Streamlet Rd upto Laban bridge, Iewdak Bazar, Jumor Lane, Presbyterian Church included) – 2174

*Bishnupur/Kench’s Trace – 3573

*Jhalupara (East, West) – 3567

*Paltan Bazar (Lower included) – 1404

*Kynjat Phutbol – 805

*Rilbong – 879

*NW Rilbong upto Senapati area – 1144

*Ashoke Colony to Oxford – 908

*Lumdorbar – 807

*Lumsohpoh – 975

*New Colony – 892

(With inputs from Aafaque Hussain)

16- East Shillong

By Lamphrang Nongspung

The East Shillong Constituency is all set for a straight contest be tween two sitting legislators- Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh (Congress) and Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Mathew Lanong (UDP). BJP candidate Romeo Phira Rani is the third candidate in the fray.

East Shillong constituency will also witness the contest between a mentor (Lanong) and his disciple (Ampareen).

It is informed that both the sitting legislators are known to be very close when they were together in the UDP.

The two political big wigs have now become enemies only because they are contesting from the same constituency on account of the delimitation.

It is reported that Lanong had in fact backed Ampareen to allot the party ticket ahead of senior party leader Malcolm Tariang during the previous 2008 Assembly election.

The sitting Laitumkhrah legislator had come out of the Congress in 2008 after she was denied the party ticket. Ampareen went on to win from Laitumkhrah constituency on a UDP ticket.

Ampareen however later resigned as an MLA and joined the Congress after UDP president Dr Donkupar Roy failed to give her any assurance whether she would be allotted the ticket ahead of Lanong since they would be contesting from the same constituency in the 2013 Assembly poll on account of the delimitation. Knowing that the UDP would give preference to Lanong in the allotment of the ticket being a senior leader of the party, Ampareen finally contested the bye-election for Laitumkhrah on a Congress ticket after she resigned and won by a thumping majority to be re-elected as an MLA.

Meanwhile, this election is the biggest test for Ampareen since she is not contesting against the green horns like in the other two previous elections.

Lanong, a veteran politician is all set to give a tough challenge to the sitting Laitumkhrah legislator.

Ampareen (then UDP), sealed her berth from the Laitumkhrah constituency by securing 3775 votes out of 11071 in a close contest of 8 candidates while Lanong registered won the Malki-Nongthymmai constituency securing 5029 votes out of 15923.

With the delimitation, Lanong suffered a setback since some of his stronghold which was in the previous Malki-Nongthymmai constituency has now been tagged with the new delimited Nongthymmai constituency.

Lanong would now have to plunge into the areas which are in the previous Laitumkhrah constituency which are the stronghold of Ampareen being a sitting legislator. Ampareen would also have to make an en route in Malki areas which are the stronghold of the UDP candidate being a man residing in that area.

As per the trend, the people of Malki have always voted in favour a person who resides in their locality.

Political analyst believes that the deciding factors in East Shillong would be the non-tribal voters. Normally, the non-tribal voters would always vote in favour of a national party. Lanong would be hoping that the CBI scam on the irregularities in the appointment of assistant teachers in the Lower Primary School would go against the Congress candidates.

Ampareen always had an upper hand in this constituency and following the clean record of her brother R.G. Lyngdoh, people have put their faith in her but the recent CBI revelations definitely is raising eyebrows among the voters in the constituency.

The votes of 10124 male voters and 11371 female voters in East Shillong constituency will eventually decide who is going to win after the counting on February 28.

The ‘election-aware’ segment of people are keeping a close watch on the manifestoes and analysing the individual candidate’s track record while a majority are still swaying to the seemingly influential campaign speeches.

CANDIDATES

1. M Ampareen Lyngdoh, INC

Symbol- Hand

2. Bindo M Lanong, UDP

Symbol- Drum

3. Romeo P Rani, BJP

Symbol-Lotus

Total no of voters: 21495

Male: 11124

Female: 11371

source:http://www.theshillongtimes.com