Fortune smiles on those with family ties in Meghalaya

GUWAHATI: THE SANGMA FAMILY’S GOOD SHOW HELPED RULING CONGRESS EMERGE AS THE SINGLE LARGEST PARTY IN THE 60MEMBER SEATS

Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma’s family had a good day in office on Saturday. All four members of the family, including Sangma who contested from two seats, won their constituencies, on Congress tickets.

Sangma had contested from two seats this time — Ampati and Songsak — a first for him. His wife Dikkanchi won in Mahendraganj, brother Zenith from Rangsakono and Zenith’s wife Sadhiarani won from Gambegre.

The Sangma family’s good show helped ruling Congress emerge as the single largest party in the 60-member seats. However, the figure may not be enough for the party to retain power.

Family and tribal ties play an important role in Meghalayawhere 55 of the 60 seats are reserved for scheduled tribe candidates.

Another Sangma family, also from the Garo Hills region of the state, also performed exceedingly well.

National People’s Party leader James PK Sangma won easily from the Dadenggre seat by beating Independent Rupa M. Marak. Despite trailing in earlier rounds of counting, his sister Agatha, a former union minister too won from the South Tura seat.

James and Agatha are children of former chief minister and Lok Sabha Speaker PA Sangma.

NPP is an ally of the NDA government in Centre and also shares power with BJP in Manipur—but both parties had contested independently in Meghalaya. The NPP and BJP are all set to form a post-poll coalition.

Meghalaya’s richest candidate Ngaitlang Dhar who was seeking re-election as NPP candidate from Umroi failed in his effort. However, his family members did well.

Dhar’s brother and former minister Sniawbhalang won from Nartiang on a NPP ticket. Ngaitlang’s son Dasakhiatbha Lamare won from Mawhati and Sniawbhalang’s brother-in-law Wailadmiki Shylla won from Jowai---both from NPP.

Among the list of successful family candidates were former Meghalaya assembly speaker Charles Pyngrope and his son David Nongrum, both Congress candidates who won from Nongthymmai and Mawryngkneng.

However, not all were lucky. They include former minister Donkupar Massar, the NPP candidate, who lost from Ranikor. His wife, Grace Mary Kharpuri, the People’s Democratic Front candidate from Pynursla, also lost the contest.

The father-daughter duo of PM Syiem and Teilinia S Thangkhiew who contested as Hill State People’s Democratic Party candidates from Mawphlang and Mylliem seats also failed to find favour from voters.