372 candidates in the fray for Meghalaya assembly polls

GUWAHATI: Regional parties are challenging the 15-year Congress rule in Meghalaya which goes to polls on February 28. Around 372 candidates – among them, 32 female — are in the fray for the 60-member Assembly contest.

The ruling Congress is battling anti-incumbency, and the party has seen an exodus of several leaders in the run-up to the polls. The state’s economy has been hit hard by the National Green Tribunal banning rat-hole mining in Meghalaya.

Rat-hole mining is a practice unique to Meghalaya and coal miners in many areas are blaming the ruling Congress for not doing anything about it.


Regional parties including National People's Party (NPP) have emerged as strong contenders to challenge Congress.