Shillong, Jan 6: The opposition All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) on Friday announced its first list of 52 candidates with leader of opposition and former Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma all set to contest from two seats in the forthcoming Assembly elections.

The list, which featured nine legislators, seven MDCs and five female candidates, was announced by the AITC state president Charles Pyngrope in the presence of legislature party leader Dr Mukul Sangma, vice president George B Lyngdoh and others.

Pyngrope told reporters that Dr Mukul Sangma will be contesting from Songsak and Tikrikilla constituencies.

He also refused to reply on whether Mukul Sangma will the chief minister candidate of the party and said, “You have been waiting for this answer for a very long time and I request you to wait a little longer.”

The state president however added, “As usual, in any political party, it is the post-election scenario and the members of the parties who are elected to represent in the House will have the final say and I am sure at that time the party will take a call.”

In the 2018 Assembly polls, Dr. Mukul Sangma won from two seats – Songsak and Ampati. He later vacated the Ampati in favour for his eldest daughter Miani D Shira, who won the bye-elections quite comprehensively.

When asked, the former chief minister said that his decision to again contest from two seats was part of the party’s political strategy and the demand of the people. “…there are multiple factors but I think the factor that I can share with you is that the overall demand as well as the felt necessary political strategy and that is how we look at it,” he said.

Responding to a query as to which of the two seats he would be relieving post elections, Dr. Sangma said, “That is a million dollar question.”

The former chief minister said the party will be reaching out to the people to take into consideration the larger interest of the people and larger interest of the state based on which they will definitely decide upon the mandate.

“If that happens, what we foresee is that the people of the state will definitely be not a fracture mandate anymore that is what we are looking at. But that will be left to the wisdom of the people. Our job is to reach out to the people, somehow navigate our conversation, our discussion and the narratives thereof to achieve that objective,” he said.

The other sitting legislators are George B Lyngdoh (Umroi), Charles Pyngrope (Nongthymmai), SG Esmatur Mominin (Phulbari), Zenith M Sangma (Rangsakona), Miani Dalbot Shira (Ampati), Dikkanchi Dalbot Shira (Mahendraganj), Winnerson D Sangma (Salmanpara), Lazarus M Sangma (Chokpot).

The seven MDCs, who will be contesting the elections include A. Andrew Shullai (Jowai), Cherak Watre Momin (Kharkutta), Pardinand D Shira (Mendipathar), Rinaldo K Sangma (Resubelpara), Alphonsush R Marak (Williamnagar), Agassi R Marak (Selsella), Sadhiarani M Sangma (Gambegre).

The female candidates apart from the sitting legislators and sitting MDC also include Dr Saralin Dorphang (Mawhati) and Elgiva Gwyneth Rynjah (North Shillong),

The other candidates are Sunida Bareh (Khliehriat), Lasting Suchiang (Mokaiaw), Alban K Gashnga (Amlarem), Sunmoon D Marak (Jirang), Gilbert Nongrum (Umsning), Banshanlang Lawai (Mawryngkneng), Samborlang Diengdoh (Pynthorumkhrah), Iwan Maria (West Shillong), Ian A Lyngdoh Nongkynrih (South Shillong), Gilbert Guidingstar Laloo (Mylliem), Joannes Jefferson Tyler Lamphrang Lamare (Nongkrem), Stodingstar Thabah (Sohiong), Mawkordor Rynjah (Mawphlang), Vincent T Sangma (Mawsynram), Playness Khiewtam (Shella), Edmund Khongngai (Pynursla), Harold Firming Khongsit (Sohra), Dondor Marbaniang (Mawkynrew), Macmillan Kharbani (Nongstoin), Fernandez S Dkhar (Rambrai-Jyrngam), Justine G Momin (Mawshynrut), Savio Phrangsngi Dkhar (Ranikor), Sounder S Cajee (Mawkyrwat), Tengrak R Marak (Bajengdoba), Sengnam R Marak (Rongjeng), Dr Prabir D Sangma (Raksamgre), Dr Mohammed Miznur Rahamankazi (Rajabala), rupa M Marak (Dadengre), Richard Mrong Marak (South Tura), Sengkal A Sangma (Dalu), Dr Rajesh M Marak (Rongra-Siju) and Dr Saljangringrang R Marak (Baghmara).