Congress to decide name of candidate for by-poll

Shillong, Sep 1 (UNI) The Congress today said it would decide next week the name of its party candidate for the Rongjeng assembly by-election in Meghalaya.

The by-poll was necessitated following the death of Independent MLA Predickson G Momin on July 6.

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president Onward L Nongtdu told UNI here that so far three persons--former Transport Minister Sujit Sangma, Exective Member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council Ashutosh Marak and retired Extension officer of Meghalaya Khadi and Village Council M Momin have applied for the party ticket.

The MPCC election committee will meet next week to decide the nominee, Mr Nongtdu added.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Congress hinted that the former transport minister was likely to be the party's choice as most of the Rongjeng Block Congress Committee members were supporting him.

Earlier, Congress archrival the NCP had decided to field Desang Sangma.

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