Two Sangmas battle it out in Meghalaya

GUWAHATI: In Meghalaya, the upcoming election is turning out to be a contest between the Sangmas — while CM Mukul Sangma is trying to ensure that Congress retains power, the National People’s Party (NPP) — led by former Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma’s son Conrad K Sangma — has emerged as a major challenger to Congress.

Both Mukul Sangma and Conrad Sangma come from Garo Hills. In 2016, Conrad Sangma had wrested the Tura Lok Sabha seat which had fallen vacant after the death of PA Sangma. Conrad beat his nearest rival and ruling Congress candidate Dikkanchi D Shira, wife of Meghalaya CM. The victory margin was 1.93 lakh votes. Conard won the seat despite Congress having 22 of the 24 MLAs in the Garo Hills. The area is a s tronghold of Mukul Sangma.

Congress is battling anti-incumbency and in the run up to polls, several leaders have deserted the party. NNP is part of Northeast Democratic Alliance, a BJP-floated platform of non-Congress parties. However, in Christian-dominat e d Meghalaya, NPP is fighting alone. While Congress is contesting all the 60 seats, NPP is contesting 53. Congress leader Sushmita Dev said: “Let him (Conrad) first go to a nearby church and keep his hand on the Bible and say that he will not tie up with BJP.”

NPP leader Erwin K Syiem Sutnga told ET: “Our leaders have categorically stated that we are fighting separately. We will not allow extraneous ideology and behaviour.”