Tura, March 6: The BJP in Meghalaya, which raised allegations of corruption even as it shared power with the NPP in the GHADC, has announced its list of 17 candidates to contest the GHADC elections in april.
Prominent among the selected candidates are three sitting MDCs, including an ex chief executive member, and former chairman of the disbanded militant outfit ANVC-B Bernard Marak.
Bernard Marak, who was once arrested for extortion from traders of the dry fish market in Tura and spent time in a jowai jail, will represent the BJP as its candidate from the all important Tura MDC seat. He also contested the last GHADC elections in 2015 from Tura but came a distant 4th behind winner Rupert M Sangma (Independent), runners up Dulal Ch Sangma of Congress and Dr Jimmy Momin of NPP.
There are three MDCs in the current GHADC house who have also been allotted party tickets by the BJP. Leading the group is Ex-Chief Executive Member Boston Marak from his current constituency of Nogorpara, Ex-Executive Member (EM) Rightous N Sangma from Babelapara constituency of Purakhasia, Ex-EM Bhupendra Hajong from Zikzak.
Among the three, the most high profile contest is expected to be in Babelapara seat where the current MDC Rightous Sangma is pitted against strong contender and three time sitting MLA Saleng A Sangma from the NCP. Once close political allies, they have since fallen out.
After the Congress, the BJP is the only other party to put up a woman candidate for the council polls. While the Congress has selected sitting MDC Sadhiarani M Sangma from Dengnakpara, the BJP has put up Lakitha D Shira to contest from Damas seat in North Garo Hills. Damas is currently held by NPP MDC Dolly K Sangma.
A lone non-tribal candidate also makes it to the BJP list from Shyamnagar constituency of Phulbari. The BJP’s Md. Fozibar Rahman will be taking on NPP candidate Tarif Ibrahim Sarkar, son of former minister Late Manirul Islam Sarkar. Shyamnagar MDC seat is presently represented by NPP MLA S G Esmatur Mominin, younger brother of Late Sarkar.
The other candidates of the BJP are John Gunchong D Shira from Siju-Rongara, Wolden Sangma from Silkigre, Heringstone Marak from Rongrikimgre, Pramod Koch from Barengapara, Daniel M Sangma from Dengnakpara- a constituency currently held by Sadhiarani M Sangma, wife of ex-Congress minister Zenith M Sangma, Cyril S Sangma from Balachanda, Ranjit Rabha fromNaguapara (Tikrikilla), Rongrong (Resu) Mamik M Sangma, Lopsing Marak from Samandagre and Greatwill Sangma from Williamnagar seat presently represented for the last ten years by senior NPP leader, Denang T Sangma, who was also a former CEM and current Chairman of the GHADC.
Siju-Rongara-John Gunchong D Shira
Silkigre- Wolden Sangma
Rongrikimgre- Heringstone Marak
Barengapara-Pramod Koch
Babelapara- Rightous N Sangma
Tura- Bernard Marak
Dengnakpara-Daniel M Sangma
Nogorpara- Boston Marak
Zikzak- Bhupender Hajong
Betasing- Bakul Ch Hajong
Balachanda- Cyril S Sangma
Shyamnagar- Md. Fozibar Rahman
Naguapara- Ranjit Rabha
Rongrong- Mamik M Sangma
Damas- Lakitha D Shira
Samandagre- Lopsing Marak
Williamnagar- Greatwill Sangma
