Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma today won the South Tura by-election by over 8,400 votes.
Shillong
Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) president Conrad K Sangma today won the South Tura by-election by defeating his nearest Congress rival Charlotte W Momin by over 8,400 votes, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said.
Conrad Sangma said, “Results are in line with what we expected. I am thankful to the voters of South Tura who reposed their faith in my leadership.
“Winning this election is an indication that people have faith in this government. We will do our best to ensure that we take the state forward.”
He called upon the Opposition Congress to work together and play the role they were given by the people.
With Mr Sangma’s win the National People’s Party has levelled its tally at 20 with the opposition Congress in the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly.
The NPP is heading a six-party Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government in the state. With this victory, the MDA has increased its tally from 37 to 39 seats in the House of 60.
The NPP president secured a total of 13,656 votes of the 22,200 plus total votes polled in South Tura. His closest rival of the Congress, Charlotte W Momin, got 5,235 votes, the Chief Electoral Officer said.
Besides the NPP, the MDA also has the support of the BJP (2), NCP (1) along with the regional parties – United Democratic Party (7), the Peoples Democratic Front (4), the Hill State Peoples Democratic Party (2) and 2 Independents.
In the Ranikor Assembly seat, the United Democratic Party candidate Pious Marwein is leading over NPP candidate Martin M Danggo by over 3,390 votes.
Mr Danggo, who was elected on a Congress ticket for the fifth time in March, resigned in June this year to join the ruling NPP.
