DIPHU, Jan 3 � The month-long preparations for the KAAC election have been completed after the end of campaigning on January 2 at 3 pm. Polls will be held tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be the day of acid test for PAPA and Congress. For PAPA it�s a question of its existence as a regional force against onslaught of national political party. Survival of UPDS in the political arena will also depend on the outcome of this election.
In the prestigious Howraghat constituency, Congress nominee Premola Beypi will have to fight with the combined strength of Bodo Forum, CPI (ML) and BJP, to defeat PAPA nominee Torendra Bramha, who has garnered support of all the forces.
Langpher constituency has 30808 voters. In 2007 Congress� Sum Ronghang won the seat receiving 10384 votes. His closest rival Sona Sing Terang got 8086 votes. This time Sum Ronghang will appear in a straight fight against PAPA nominee and UPDS stalwart Kangjang Terang.
Another interesting constituency in west Karbi Anglong is Korkanthi, where Bodo Forum has fielded Jawaharlal Basumatery, as the constituency has a sizeable number of Bodo voters. Congress has nominated Ramsing Rongpi, a relitevly new face as its nominee, while PAPA contender is Bidyasing Tokbi. The constituency has a total of 12407 voters.
Mahamaya constituency will witness a straight contest between Bidya Sing Rongpi, sitting Congress MAC and executive member of KAAC and Dhoniram Teron of PAPA. The other contenders in this constituency are of CPI(ML) and BJP.
In Nomati constituency main contest will be between rebel Congress candidate Mongol Sing Ingti, the sitting Congress MAC and Chairman of KAAC, who is contesting independently, after being denied party ticket, and Robindra Rongpi of PAPA who has the support of many local organisations including a faction of rebel Congress members. This time due to the infighting in Congress, balance may tilt towards Rongpi.
In Sochang Dhenta constituency the main contest will be between Bhuban Chandra Terang, brother-in-law of MP Birensing Ingti and PAPA contender Digendra Terang. However due to disunity among the opposition parties Congress has better prospects in this constituency.
Lumbajung is another constituency where a keen contest is expected. This time two rebel Congress candidates Ratul Teron and Ramsing Engti are also in the fray. In every likelihood both of them will split the Congress vote.
In Singhason constituency seven contenders are in the fray including Langtuk Ronghang, official Congress nominee and Congress rebel Prodip Signer, PAPA candidate Bharat Kumar Timung and independent Amar Sing Tisso. Split in Congress vote and less-organised PAPA have opened prospects for the independent candidate, who has enormous popularity among Kuki voters of Singhason hill track.
