SHILLONG, Jan 27 - The Congress announced names of candidates for 57 out of 60 seats in the Assembly polls in which Chief Minister Mukul Sangma would contest from two seats � Songsak and Ampati.
In the list published today, South Shillong represented by Sanbor Shullai and Pynthormukhrah by AL Hek, who have recently joined the BJP, and Khliehriat constituencies have been left vacant.
The list only confirms about Sangma�s nervousness going into this election. Sangma has never lost from Ampati since he entered politics and won the seat in 1993 as an independent candidate. He later joined the Congress and has retained Ampati for the fifth consecutive terms virtually uncontested.
The BJP has announced its candidate, Bakul Hajong, a former bureaucrat from Ampati, however, its ally the NPP has not. It is likely that the NPP would not put up its candidate for the seat and instead lend support to the BJP candidate.
Unsure of his victory, Sangma has therefore eyed Songsak which is held by Nihim D Shira of the NPP. But again Shira is a strong candidate from the constituency and is likely to retain his seat.
However, the Congress leaders in the State capital are not ready to either confirm or deny the names in the list. Sanjay Das general secretary of State Pradesh Congress said that he is unaware of the list. �I cannot confirm about the list of the candidates,� he said when asked.
Meanwhile, some of the other Congress heavyweights in the list include former chief minister, Salseng C Marak, Resubelpara, Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh from Sohiong and PWD Minister, Martin M Danggo, Ranikor. The other Cabinet ministers in the list of candidates are Ampareen Lyngdoh from East Shillong, Deborah Marak, Williamnagar, Clement Marak, Selsella, Zeneith M Sangma, Rangsakona and Ronnie V Lyngdoh, Mylliem.
