In Mahendraganj constituency of Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma’s wife Dikkanchi D Shira is likely to face a stiff challenge from NPP candidate Sanjay A Sangma due to ant-incumbency factor.
In 2013, Mukul’s wife Dikkanchi D Shira had won the election with a thumping majority. However, this time around the Congress will face a challenge with NPP fielding Conrad’s brother-in-law Sanjay A Sangma, a well known businessman of Tura.
Sanjay who hails from Boldamgre village under Mahendraganj constituency is using the tag of being a local candidate by terming Dikkanchi as an outsider. He is also taking the advantage of the anti-incumbency factor against the Congress.
Mahendraganj constituency is considered as one of the most politically volatile constituencies in Garo hills as it has mixed population of Garo, Bengali Muslims, Hindus, Koch and Hajong community.
The Muslim and Bengali Hindu voters will be key factors in this constituency and efforts are being made by both the candidates to woo the voters.
Last week, sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma had addressed poll campaign rallies to drum up support for Dikkanchi and counted on the surge of development, which has taken place in the state.
Conrad Sangma has been touring the constituency for the past two days with a promise that if Sanjay is elected, the people of the area will have double benefit of an MLA and an MP.
In 2013 election Mukul had said if Dikkanchi was elected, the people would have an added benefit of the chief minister.
The anger against sitting legislators can be felt with at least 30 prominent Congress party functionaries including Abdul Sattar (Nondi) elder brother of former MLA of Mahendraganj and cabinet minister Abdus Saleh pledging their support to NPP.
Prominent among them include Nur Islam, Paresh Barman, Abdul Kaddeer, Majnu Khandakar, Jafrul Haque, Uttam Das, Chitor Ranjan Modak, Chengman Ch. Marak, Epison D Sangma, Wilseng Marak and Paul Marak joining the NPP in presence of NPP chief Conrad K Sangma.