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It is for the first time since the creation of Meghalaya as a full fledged State, by-elections in two different constituencies out of the total sixty had to be held in peculiar circumstances in the 2018 General elections to the State Assembly. Conrad. K Sangma, Chief of the National People’s Party (NPP) was chosen to head the administration of the State with the NPP aligning with leading regional parties, such as the United Democratic Party (UDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDF), Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (HSPDP) and ruling National Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This combination of understanding had prevented the Indian National Congress (INC) to retain power in the State, obtaining only 20 seats out of 60. Conrad Sangma, not being an elected member of the State Legislative was however chosen as the coalition parliamentary leader, to be the New Chief Minister of Meghalaya.
Conrad K. Sangma, who was also a member of the Lok Sabha, had to take final decision, whether he would relinquish his parliamentary Member of Parliament, and plunge into the electoral process where he had to be formally elected as Member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly. It is therefore, the fate and luck of Conrad that his sister Agatha Sangma being a Legislative Representative from South Tura Constituency had come to an understanding with her brother Conrad, that she would vacate South Tura to enable Conrad in seeking a by-election ticket so his position as Chief Minister of the State would be secured. Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) is a coalition government of the NPP, BJP and other parties including the UDP which is presently the leading regional party. Every part of this coalition had looked upon Conrad K. Sangma to steer the State in administration and also maintain the stability of the combined MDA Government. Conrad had therefore taken a bold yet quite risky decision in facing the crucial election before him.
Conrad had plunged into the contest defeating his closet Congress rival Charlotte W.
Momin by a margin of 8421 votes. Conrad had snatched victory and was candid enough to declare that he would work for the development of Tura as promised to voters and also engage his responsibilities in the well being of the sole state of Meghalaya. The Chief Minister had appealed to all political parties for the progress and development of all parts of the state.
To read the further article please get your copy of Eastern Panorama March issue @http://www.magzter.com/IN/Hill-Publications/Eastern-Panorama/News/ or mail to contact @easternpanorama.in
