HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 23: Altogether 165 candidates have filed nominations for 26 KAAC seats, elections for which will be held on June 8.
Monday was the last day for filing of nominations.
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7,03,298 voters will decide their fate across 906 polling stations in the two administrative districts of Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong.
The Hills Area Department minister, Jogen Mohan accompanied by Diphu MLA visited the deputy commissioner’s office and visited each room to enquire about the filing of nomination papers of the BJP candidates.
Speaking to media persons, the minister said BJP candidates in 10 MAC constituencies have filed their nomination papers. He expressed confidence that the BJP would win all the 26 MAC constituencies.
He said, “The Centre and State government would continue to carry out more development activities in the coming days.”
Coming out from the DC office after filing his nomination papers, the incumbent deputy chairman of KAAC, Ritesh Enghi who is contesting from Nomati MAC constituency, said he is confident of retaining the seat.
All the BJP candidates are confident of winning on the development carried out by their government and the previous KAAC.
AAP candidate of Lumbajong MAC constituency, Kartik Bey after filing his nomination papers informed that his party has fielded candidates in 23 seats save Duar Amla, Chinthong and Amri.
Congress rebel candidate contesting as an independent, Rangsina Hanse filed his nomination from Lumbajong seat even as he urged voters not to vote on party lines, but to elect a good candidate or a leader.
Another independent candidate Ratan Terang, also filed his nomination papers from Langpher MAC constituency. He said that his BJP opponent Madhuram Lekthe is not from Langpher, he is an outsider. “He (Lekthe) will be a close contender,” Terang added.
Other candidates who filed their nomination papers on Monday were sitting MAC and executive member, KAAC Amarsing Tisso from Singhason MAC constituency, Raju Tisso from Korkhanti MAC constituency and Lunsing Teron from Mahamaya MAC constituency and BJP’s new faces Ajit Kumar Dey from Howraghat; Madhuram Lekthe from Langpher MAC constituency; Kangbura Killing from Phuloni MAC constituency; Bili Mohan Khaklari from Langhin MAC constituency; Jonny Timung from Lumbajong MAC constituency and Tilotoma Hasnu from Dhansiri MAC constituency.
Five CPI (ML) Hills Party Committee candidates have also filed their nomination papers and they are Welson Rongphar from Singhason MAC constituency; Bikramsing Teron from Dhansiri MAC constituency; Ishwar Konwar from Howraghat MAC constituency; Kamen Rongpi from Langhin MAC constituency and Joysing Rongpi from Korkhanti MAC constituency.
Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates have also filed their nomination papers. They are Amrit Minj from Dhansiri MAC constituency and Kartik Bey from Lumbajong MAC constituency.
Former general secretary of the disbanded Karbi Longri NC Hills Liberation Front, who was denied a BJP ticket has filed his nomination as an independent from Phuloni MAC constituency.
National, regional and independents were seen lining up before the returning officer from 10 am on Monday morning at Hamren DC office, headquarter of West Karbi Anglong.
The ruling BJP’s all candidates in West Karbi Anglong, i.e., Tuliram Ronghang from Bithung Rengthama Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) constituency, Mongolsing Timung from Hamren MAC constituency, Prabhat Ch Taro from Duar Amla MAC constituency, Pawan Kumar Rai from Kopili MAC constituency, Headsing Rongphar from Socheng MAC constituency, Longbison Bey from Rongkhang MAC constituency, Rina Terangpi from Amreng MAC constituency, Uphing Maslai from Amri MAC constituency and the youngest BJP candidate Abhijit Kro from Chinthong MAC constituency have filed their nominations.
The BJP candidates were accompanied by minister Pijush Hajarika, MP Horensing Bey, MLA Rupsing Teron and president of BJP, West Karbi Anglong District Committee, Radip Ronghang.
The incumbent chief executive member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), who is again contesting from Bithung Rengthama, expressed his confidence in winning all the 26 MAC constituencies with a thumping majority.
On being asked about denying tickets to a few senior sitting MACs he said it’s the collective decision of the party high command.
“Who knows tomorrow I may also be denied a ticket by the high command. The party members who were denied tickets will not be contesting as independents,” Ronghang said.
While from Opposition, president of Indian National Congress, West Karbi Anglong District Congress Committee (WKADCC), Sing Teron, filed his nomination from 5 Rongkhang MAC constituency against the BJP’s Longbison Bey, Kareng Phangchopi from Kopili MAC constituency, Alice Engtipi from Amreng MAC constituency, Rupesh Bey from Hamren MAC constituency, etc.
From the CPI (ML), Kangbura Hanse has filed his nomination from Bithung Rengthama MAC constituency against the sitting MAC Tuliram Ronghang. Jonarson Tokbi has filed his nomination from Hamren MAC seat as an Independent.
AAP, Autonomous State Demand Committee (ASDC), All Party Hills Leaders Conference (APHLC) are also contesting in West Karbi Anglong which has nine MAC seats.
The returning officer informed that altogether 50 contestants have filed nominations for the 9 MAC constituencies in West Karbi Anglong.
The BJP, APHLC, Congress, ASDC and CPI (ML) Hills Party Committee filed their candidate’s nominations in Bokajan. There are seven MAC seats under Bokajan LAC.
The BJP’s 21 Borjan MAC constituency – Surya Rongphar, 22 Sarupathar MAC constituency – Kadom Terangpi, 23 Bokajan MAC constituency – Madhya Dhekiyal Phukon, 24 Deopani MAC constituency – Sharaban Telenga, 25 Nilip MAC constituency – Pabitra Rongpi, 26 Duarbagori MAC constituency – Richard Tokbi and Socheng Dhenta MAC constituency – Kache Rongpipi filed their nominations with the SDO (C) at Bokajan.
The Congress’s 21 Borjan MAC constituency – Surendra Singnar, 22 Sarupathar MAC constituency – Satra Teron, 23 Bokajan MAC constituency – Bongso Lekthe, 24 Deopani MAC constituency – Joysom Jesing Rengma, 25 Nilip MAC constituency – Semson Engti, 26 Duarbagori MAC constituency – Rajen Engti and 17 Socheng Dhenta MAC constituency – Rajesh Timung filed their nomination with the SDO (C) at Bokajan.
The APHLC contested all the seven seats under Bokajan LAC. They are 21 Borjan MAC constituency – Martina Katharpi, 22 Sarupathar MAC constituency – Bapuram Terang, 23 Bokajan MAC constituency – Pranjal Kro, 24 Deopani MAC constituency – Anthony Bongrum, 25 Nilip MAC constituency – Rajesh Tisso, 26 Duarbagori MAC constituency – Mondal Sing Engti and 17 Socheng Dhenta MAC constituency – Mensing Phangcho.
The BJP’s Howraghat candidate, Ajit Kumar Dey, who is a longtime BJP worker in the district was accorded a warm welcome by the voter and party workers of Howraghat. He was felicitated at the BJP’s Howraghat Mandal Committee office.
Similarly, BJP’s Langhin candidate, Bili Mohan Khaklary was also welcomed by party workers, social organisations and student organisations at Langhin Bibah Bhawan and at ABSU office with traditional Bodo aranei and phulam gamusa. Bodo Sahitya Sabha, Kachari Samaj, Bodo Gaonbura Santha, All Bodo Sanskriti Parishad, former BLTs, Langhin Bhojpuri Samaj and Langhin Regional Bangali Samaj supported him.
