SHILLONG: As the political landscape heats up with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on the horizon, Tura in West Garo Hills is set to witness a fierce three-way clash among the ruling National People’s Party (NPP), Congress, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While speculation initially hinted at a consensus candidate from the BJP against the current NPP MP, Agatha Sangma, three probable names have emerged from the BJP, promising an intriguing contest.
On January 29, Tura MDC Bernard Marak, BJP’s Thomas Marak, and former GHADC CEM Boston Marak filed their applications in a significant move at the BJP headquarters, with party president Rikman G Momin in attendance.
Meanwhile, the All India Congress Committee’s screening committee’s meeting in Guwahati on Monday reviewed Lok Sabha ticket applications.
Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H Pala and Congress MLA Saleng Sangma, both vying for the Shillong and Tura parliamentary seats, had their applications sent for approval to the central election committee.
Saleng’s approval positions him as a formidable contender in the battle for the Tura seat.
However, the NPP maintains an advantage in preparations and groundwork, setting the stage for an engaging electoral showdown.
Amidst this, the INDIA bloc alliance between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Congress remains strained, with no consensus candidate in sight.
Earlier, Pala had opposed conceding the seat to TMC, creating a rift within the opposition camp.
The BJP, on the other hand, boasts a growing list of aspirants eyeing both Shillong and Tura seats.
AL Hek, a prominent BJP figure, has expressed openness to contesting if the party deems it fit.
With multiple contenders in the fray, the central leaderships of all the parties will play a decisive role in finalising candidates for what promises to be a riveting electoral face-off.
