NCP candidate files nomination, Cong fields new candidate

Shillong, May 1 (UNI) Agatha K Sangma, the youngest daughter of former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader Purno A Sangma, today filed her nomination paper for the by-election to the Tura Lok Sabha seat as the NCP candidate.

She filed her papers before the returning officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills district.

Mr Sangma along with his two sons- Finance Minister Conrad K Sangma and Parliamentary Secretary James K Sangma were among those who were also present on the occasion.

The by-election, scheduled to be held on May 22, has been necessitated after Mr Sangma quit the Lok Sabha after being elected as MLA in the 60-member Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on March 8.

If Agatha (27) wins, she will be the youngest sitting MP.

The 27-year-old lawyer by profession, who decided to follow the footsteps of her father, assured the people to represent their voices in Parliament.

''It was the desire of the people and I have to raise their voice in the corridors of Parliament,'' Agatha said.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Dr Mukul M.Sangma has opted out of the race, even as the Congress decided to nominate his younger brother Zenith M Sangma, a former PWD minister.

''Since Dr Mukul has decided to concentrate in state politics to strengthen the party, the party has decided to field Zenith,'' Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee president OL Nongtdu said.

Mr Zenith, had lost the March 3 Assembly elections to NCP candidate Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak.

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