TURA, Nov 6: Leaders from different groups and elders of Jengjal are pinning their hope in Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to fulfil their dream of seeing Jengjal being transformed into a full fledged civil sub-division after meeting with him on Friday in Shillong in the presence of their MLA and minister James Pangsang K Sangma.

Should it materialise, it will give a major boost to the political position of their legislator James Pangsang K Sangma who is preparing to retain his Dadenggre seat for a record fourth term.

Jengjal is part of Dadenggre constituency which is already the oldest civil sub-division of Garo Hills.

Jengjal is also famous for having a robust health centre in the form of the Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital successfully run by the Seventh Day Adventist Church with well trained doctors coming from the famous CMC Vellore.

The hospital, which faced many hurdles from opponents, till last year, is now the most important hospital providing sophisticated medical care for mothers and babies in the entire five districts of Garo Hills. It is the only hospital to have as many as three child specialists or paediatricians.

While the chief minister has not given his commitment to the demand, his elder brother and minister James has urged for the former’s early intervention to the “peoples’ demand”.

“We requested CM Conrad K Sangma for his urgent intervention for declaration of Jengjal and its surrounding areas to a Civil Sub-Division. Jengjal’s present location along the National Highway makes it a strategic mid-point both administratively and as an economic hub for the entire Garo Hills,” justified James Sangma.

It will also be politically justifiable for the sitting MLA should the demand materialize.

James is facing stiff challenge from Trinamool candidate and former Garo Students Union leader Rupa Marak, who was defeated in the last elections held in 2018.

James overcame Rupa Marak’s threat with a comfortable margin of 2785 votes.

But that was when Rupa was fighting a lone battle as an Independent.

This time he has the entire Trinamool machinery backed by Prashant Kishore’s I-PAC team on the ground.

To make matters worse for the NPP leader, the political strategy of the Trinamool Congress will also get much needed inputs from their leader and seasoned politician, former chief minister Mukul Sangma, who is known to be a master in the political battles.