Guwahati: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma defeated his rival and BJP politician Bernard Marak in the South Tura constituency during the state’s assembly elections. The National People’s Party (NPP) leader, Sangma, expressed his satisfaction over people choosing to vote for his party and claimed they are still lacking a few votes and awaiting the results.
According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), Sangma received 10,090 votes and the estimated turnout was 49.42%. Sangma’s NPP presently holds the majority in 21 seats and has won 5 seats.
However, Rupa M. Marak of the Trinamool Congress narrowly defeated Sangma’s older brother James Pangsang K. Sangma, a three-time NPP MLA from Dadenggre, by just 7 votes.
Many important players are competing for control in the Meghalaya assembly elections, which have drawn considerable attention. Sangma’s victory in South Tura is a big win for the NPP, which hopes to establish the government in the state for a second term, despite the defeat in Dadenggre.
Although though the official results of the Meghalaya assembly elections are still pending, Sangma’s victory in South Tura represents a resounding endorsement of his leadership and the NPP’s plans for the state from the electorate.