TURA, Jan 9: The Indian National Congress has endorsed the candidature of former Meghalaya Civil Services officer Laben Ch Marak to be the party nominee to fight against Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in South Tura constituency in the ensuing 2023 assembly elections.

Laben was chosen among three aspirants for the party ticket, the other two contenders being Brenzield Marak and Sanjiv Sangma.

Congress working president of the state Debora Marak informed media persons on Sunday that Laben Marak has been chosen as the party candidate and the official announcement would be made along with the rest of the other party candidates.

Laben Ch Marak (44 years) joined the Meghalaya Police Service (MPS) as a DSP in 2010 but later switched to the MCS in 2012 and became an EAC. He served as EAC in Ampati and later as BDO of Rongram block.

He resigned from the state civil services in 2017 and contested the 2018 assembly elections as an Independent candidate from Dadenggre constituency against sitting MLA James Sangma. He failed to secure a win.

Earlier, in 2003 also he had contested the assembly elections from Rangsakona seat without success.

A Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of Arts in English from Delhi, as well as B.Ed from Tura college of Teachers Education, Laben is also a former FKJGP president of Garo Hills region.

He was also the state president of the National Students Union of India and the former founder and chief instructor of West Garo Hills Taekwondo martial arts school.

His earlier connections in the congress party appears to have worked in his favour as he was one of the youngest district congress committee (DCCI) joint secretaries holding the finance position.