Samajwadi Party to contest 15 seats in Meghalaya

Shillong, Jan 28 (UNI) The Samajwadi Party (SP) today announced to field 15 candidates in the March 3 Meghalaya Assembly election.

The filing of nomination papers for the single-phase election of the 60-seat Assembly constituency, will begin on February 8 and close on February 15.

The last date for withdrawal of nomination is February 18.

Counting of votes will be taken up on March 7.

Former Congress Minister-turned SP advisor Probin K Raswai will contest from Jirang constituency. Mr Raswai's main opponent candidate, will be former Chief Minister J D Rymbai, who quit the Congress and joined the United Democratic Party (UDP).

The Samajwadi Party, making an entrance into the Northeast political arena, was confident of making inroads in Meghalaya politics.

'' We are confident of making inroads in Meghalaya as candidates are elected on personality rather than a political party, '' Mr Raswai told reporters here.

He said the SP would not have a pre-poll alliance with any political party, adding the names of the candidates would be announced in a day or two.

The SP has no MLA or representative in any local body in Meghalaya.

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