TURA, Feb 8: A retired Meghalaya Civil Service Officer who was preparing to take on Chief minister Conrad K Sangma in South Tura contest has lost the plot after he arrived late to file his nomination papers on the last day of nominations, on Tuesday.

Ex MCS officer and Extra Assistant Commissioner Laben Ch Marak had planned to give the chief minister a tough fight and a run for his money in the upcoming elections, but sadly, failed to even file his nomination papers.

“I did arrive on time to the office of the Returning Officer, before the 3 PM deadline on the last day but there was some paperwork that needed to be rectified. By the time the papers were cleared the deadline had crossed and the returning officer rejected my application,” a dejected Laben Ch Marak said.

Laben had been one of the aspirants for the Congress party ticket and was deemed a favourite. However, a last minute decision by the party high command gave the ticket to Brenzield Ch Marak of Rongkhon and Laben was compelled to prepare his ground as an independent without much success.

His exit from the political battle ended the campaign for any Independent to try a shot at the South Tura seat.

Currently, the party line up of candidates for South Tura contest has chief minister Conrad K Sangma of the NPP, Brenzield Ch Marak of the Congress, Bernard Marak of the BJP and Richard M Marak of the Trinamool Congress (AITC).