Shillong, Feb. 19 : Hectic campaigning is on for the February 26 byelection to the Umroi seat in Ri Bhoi which fell vacant following the death of former chief minister E.K. Mawlong on October 18, 2008.
After the elections to all the three district councils, the candidates have started vigorous campaigning in the run up to the Umroi byelection.
Four candidates are in the fray, Stanlywiss Rymbai of the Congress, Mawlong’s son George B. Lyngdoh of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Erwin K. Syiem Sutnga of the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) and Independent candidate Phrina Warjri.
However, the main fight in Umroi is between the Congress and the UDP candidates as Independent Phirna and the HSPDP candidate Erwin do not have much support in the constituency.
UDP candidate George B. Lyngdoh projected the performance of the ruling MPA government during his campaign. He told the voters that if elected, the MPA government would be able to work for the development of the constituency.
On the other hand, Congress candidate Stanlywiss is harping on the change the party can bring if he is elected from Umroi.
The Opposition led by the Congress at present has 27 members whereas the ruling MPA has 32 in the House of 60.
The Congress considers this byelection crucial, as winning the Umroi seat will raise the Opposition tally to 28.
A Congress leader said if the party wins the Umroi seat, there are chances for the party to form an alternative government by approaching the Independents and other disgruntled legislators in the MPA coalition to switch over to the Congress.
The acting president of Meghalaya PCC, Deborah Marak, is camping in Delhi to invite the central leaders to campaign for the party candidate in Umroi.
“We have a winning chance in Umroi,” Marak added.
However, with the success of the MPA coalition in both the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), UDP candidate George is hopeful to retain the Umroi seat, which his father had won in the last year’s Assembly elections.
It was the controversies related to the Meghalaya House construction at Calcutta which went against Mawlong in 2003 Assembly elections and was defeated by Stanlywiss..
However, Mawlong again contested the Assembly elections in February last year and defeated the Congress candidate.
