NPP, TMC, BJP, Congress: Partying to begin tomorrow in Meghalaya | players, system at a glance

Meghalaya, which goes to polls on February 27, is witnessing a contest between the National People’s Party (NPP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Though NPP and BJP were in the government together, they are contesting the elections alone.

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What happened in 2018?

In the 2018 assembly elections, the ruling NPP won 19 seats, the Congress won 21 and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win two seats. The United Democratic Party (UDP) got six seats. NPP and BJP formed the government in alliance.

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Parties contesting this time

This time, Congress and BJP are contesting on all 60 seats, NPP on 57 and TMC on 56. UDP is contesting on 46 seats.

npp

The NPP has ruled Meghalaya for the last five years along with the BJP, but is facing anti-incumbency. All parties including BJP have targeted NPP.

TMC

TMC is a new player in Meghalaya but since Mukul Sangma has joined TMC along with 12 out of 17 Congress MLAs, he is now an important player.

BJP

BJP is fighting the election alone and its target is to win more seats than last time. Last time, his government had only two members.

Congress

Most of the MLAs in Meghalaya have left the Congress. This time it is a battle of survival for the party in the state.

voters and polling stations

Total Polling Stations: 3,419 (600+ Sensitive, 300+ Critical)

Voters: 21,40,000+

(Original was 21,75,000+, but above figure is minus 1 ac where polling is adjourned)

Total Contesting Candidates: 369

V&C: 84

CAPFs: 119 Companies

Khasi Jaintia has 36 seats and Garo Hills has 24 seats.

Meghalaya has more women voters than men

Voting in Sohyeong has been postponed due to the death of a candidate. Now voting will be held on 59 seats.

key players

• Conrad Sangma: He is the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and the President of NPP. He is the son of former speaker PA Sangma. He was also an MP from Tura. He is contesting from South Tura constituency. He plays guitar and is a fan of the heavy metal brand Iron Maiden.
• Mukul Sangma: A former Meghalaya CM, the veteran politician who was a Congress stalwart is contesting from TMC. He, along with 12 other MLAs, quit the Congress and joined the TMC, and is now the Leader of the Opposition. This time Mukul Sangma is contesting from two seats, Songsak, from where he is the MLA, and Tikrikila.
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• James Sangma: He is the brother of Conrad Sangma and the Minister of Law, Power, Home in the state. He is a three-time MLA from Dadengre.
• Ernest Mowry: The Meghalaya BJP President is contesting from the West Shillong constituency. He has immense popularity and this time he will be pitted against sitting MLA Mahendra Rapsang of NPP.
• Charles Pingrope: TMC President in Meghalaya and also TMC players in Khasi and Jaintia Hills. He joined TMC from Congress along with Mukul Sangma. He is called the ‘Khasi face’ of TMC. This former Congressman has also been the speaker of Meghalaya. He is contesting from Nongthimmai.
• Vincent Pala: Congress chief of Meghalaya, people say it was his appointment that led to exodus of Congress MLAs from TMC. Pala is a coal businessman. He is the Lok Sabha MP from Shillong since 2009. He is contesting from Satanga-Saipung constituency. He was the first MP from Meghalaya to become a Union Minister. This will be the most challenging election for Pala.

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