Shillong, Jan 29: As many as eighteen candidates filed their nomination papers today for the upcoming Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) elections, to be held on February 21.
Of this, two are Congress candidates – former KHADC chief and sitting Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah Pynshngainlang N Syiem and Jonathan Syiem from Sohryngkham, four are Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) candidates – Thomas Passah from Jaiaw, Pynshai Mawrie from Mawkynrew, Ericton Swer from Nongthymmai and Raymond Basaiawmoit from Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah, nine are Voice of the People Party (VPP) candidates – Aibandaplin Lyngdoh Nonglait from Mylliem, Eddieson Kharumnuid from Mawlai, Winston Tony Lyngdoh from Nongthymmai, Seiborlang Warbah from Mawkynrew, Danny Langstieh from Laban, Kitbor Syiem from Nongkrem, Denzil Chen from Jaiaw, Lancaster Marbaniang from Mawphlang and Strongpillar Kharjana from Mawkhar-Pynthor, two independent candidates – Mawkordor Rynjah from Mawphlang-Diengiei, Sony Kharjana from Nongspung-Sohiong and one Hill State People Democratic Party (HSPDP) candidate Stodingstar Thabah from Mawphlang-Diengiei.
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Strongpillar Kharjana confident of victory
VPP candidate Strongpillar Kharjana today said he welcomed the party’s decision to field him from the Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah instead of Jaiaw constituency.
After filing his nomination papers, Kharjana said that the fact is that he had applied for a ticket for both the constituencies – Jaiaw and Mawkhar-Pynthorumkhrah.
“I accept the party’s decision to nominate me as its official candidate from Mawkhar Pynthorumkhrah,” he added.
Kharjana said that the North Shillong legislator Adelbert Nongrum is still with the party and is working for the party.
Expressing confidence to win the election, he said, “I know I will have to contest against the sitting MDC PN Syiem. We are contesting from the VPP, which people are looking up to and we have no doubt that we will win the elections.”
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Vows to protect Khasi culture, land rights
Jonathan Syiem, a Congress candidate from the Sohryngkham constituency today filed his nomination to contest in the upcoming MDC election to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC).
Syiem filed his nomination at the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Khasi Hills Shillong.
Speaking to media persons, Syiem said that the reason why he contested the MDC election is because the District Council is the guardian of the customs, traditions, culture, heritage, lineage and the protector of land ownership system in Khasi Hills region.
Syiem said that the Congress party is considered as the mother not only of Meghalaya but of the country especially of the Sohryngkham constituency.
“It was the Congress that gave the sixth schedule, it was the congress that gave statehood to Meghalaya and is also the party which has contributed for the welfare of all Autonomous District Councils (ADC) in the country,” said Syiem.
(Newmai News Network)
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