MPA to jointly launch anti-Cong election campaign

Shillong, Mar 13 (UNI) The Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) has decided to launch an anti-Congress campaign in Baghmara constituency where polling will be held on March 22.

Election in the constituency was countermanded following the death of Congress candidate Sengran Sangma on February 16.

'' However, there is no question of MPA fielding a consensus candidate in the constituency as the nomination process is already over,'' MPA General Secretary Conrad K Sangma said.

The Congress had already suffered a setback in Baghmara constituency, following en-masse resignation of its members of Baghmara Block Congress party in protest against the party High Command allotting party ticket to Arjun Momin, son of late Sengran M Sangma, a couple of weeks back.

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) leader-in-charge of Garo Hills Jakir Sangma said the Block Congress Committee of Baghmara had recommended the names of Thinker Marak, Milan Sangma and Rangrik Sangma to the MPCC, but the AICC had allotted the ticket to Arjun Momin.

''All of us will try to expose the Congress party's hunger for power before the public,'' Mr Sangma said.

The Nationalist Congress Party has fielded Satto Marak as its nominee, while the United Democratic Party fielded Ms Florence Sangma. There are also four Independent candidates Ms Gentilla R Marak, Hembilstone K Sangma, Julius Sangma and Lazarus M Sangma in the electoral battle.

''It will be a friendly campaign, but we will ensure that the NCP candidate is elected to the eighth Meghalaya Legislative Assembly,'' Mr Sangma said.

Meanwhile, the Garo National Council, which drew a blank in the just concluded Assembly has decided to campaign for Independent candidate Ms Gentilla R Marak.

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