Any wrong word spoken at this time could cause a minus in the number of votes. The Khasis have a word for this. They say, “Ym long pynthut ioh thynrei niangpyrsit” (we cannot afford to offend anyone because at this time every voter is like someone who has got the measles).

For male candidates, the support of their wife, children, parents, siblings is a must. They have to entertain the well-wishers who come home while the candidate is out on a door to door campaign.

The Khasis have a way of gauging how strong or weak a candidate is by the number of visitors to his/her home. Those without family support find the road lonely and tough because there is only so much that the candidate can do.

Taking the above factors into account The Shillong Times traveled around the constituencies in Khasi Jaintia Hills and spoke to supporters and non-committal voters about the prospects of candidates in the fray.

In 21-Nongthymmai constituency, Jemino Mawthoh the UDP candidate appears to be gaining ground while Congress candidate and Speaker Charles Pyngrope seems to be trailing.

This time the HSPDP candidate, B Syiem, BJP candidate, E Nongrum and Charles Pyngrope of the Congress are all residents of Pohkseh. The voters of this area are confused about who to vote for. Syiem it is learnt has a stronger support base in the area but beyond that it is the Drum which is appealing to a large section of voters. “We want to give Mawthoh a chance to prove himself. He is a new candidate and a promising one,” said a number of voters spoken to.

The Congress has its traditional vote bank in the areas falling previously under 17-Laitumkhrah Constituency. But in the 16-Nongthymmai which had earlier elected BM Lanong the voters appear to be rooting for Mawthoh.

Even in Nongrim Hills and Rynjah the votes seems to have swung towards the UDP candidate.

In 20 Mylliem, there is tough fight between sitting MLA Ronnie Lyngdoh of the Congress, Hamlet Dohling of the UDP and Teilinia Thangkhiew Independent. The votes could go either way but a slow wave is building up for Thangkhiew particularly among women voters.

Coming to 16-East Shillong constituency, if the meeting held at Police point on Saturday last is any indication of the support base of Ampareen Lyngdoh (Congress) then she seems likely to return although BM Lanong (UDP) is leaving no stone unturned to discredit his opponent. Allegations and counter allegations also mark the campaigns in this Constituency. The latest one is that of a man who was allegedly given a cheque for Rs 20,000 for his daughter’s admission at Don Bosco University’s engineering department by Ampareen.

Lyngdoh claimed she never signed any cheque for that amount this year but admitted that she helps students for admissions etc out of her discretionary funds. The cheque is dated January 7 this year. “Is it a sin to help poor students,” Ampareen shot back when questioned by this scribe.

In 17-North Shillong Constituency, UDP candidate Ibarilin Kharsati is giving a tough fight to Congress candidate Roshan Warjri but many voters who are used to Warjri’s amiable ways find her easier to approach than other new candidates. “We know how Kong Kei works and she has served her constituents well. At this point we don’t really need a change,” said a number of voters spoken to. The battle royale to watch is in 18-West Shillong constituency where UDP Working President Paul Lyngdoh is pitted against rank newcomer of the Congress Mohindro Rapsang. It’s a neck to neck fight and the win could go either way. Independent candidate Donaldson Shanpru could cut into the votes of Paul Lyngdoh.

source:http://www.theshillongtimes.com