Family connections help much more in politics and sometime this menace can be seen as political masterstroke also. That is the irony.
Weeks before February 27 crucial polls that often threaten to write political obituary of Mukul Sangma— the incumbent Chief Minister of Meghalaya is set to be an eight MLA strong leader.
“The Congress Chief Minister Mukul Sangma is playing a very calculative game. His fight involves family and a bunch of personal loyalists. In the event of a hung Assembly, he will stand with his 7-8 numbers,” says Tura-based BJP leader Billykid A Sangma.
Like the BJP leader, many others including from NPP point out that Mukul Sangma has kept the numbers in mind and in the process decided to ensure that right from the beginning he should have at least 7-8 seats with him.
“Actually he does not trust many Congress candidates. He is building up a mini camp of relatives and personal loyalists,” says NPP leader Vinita Sangma.
Explaining further, she says Mukul Sangma is himself contesting from two Assembly segments Ampati and Songsak. His wife and sitting MLA Dikkanchi D Shira is seeking re-election from Mahendraganj.
On the same line, Chief Minister”s brother and Excise Minister Zenith Sangma has been fielded from Rangsakona. Zenith’s wife Sadhiarani Sangma, who is also Chairperson of Garo Hill Autonomous District Council is Congress nominee from Gambegre.
She will be taking on among others NCP state unit chief Saleng A Marak, who has been winning the seat for two consecutive terms.
Mukul Sangma has also tried to ensure that his loyalists too get party tickets.
Limison D Sangma has been fielded from Raksamgre while another loyalist Jimmy D Sangma will be contesting on Congress ticket from Tikrikala.
Similarly, they say Mukul has ensured that his loyalist Clement Marak is also Congress candidate from Selsela.
However, on the other hand, family politics is inherent legacy of Lok Sabha MP Conrad Sangma led NPP as well. Conrad’s sister Agatha Sangma, a former Union Minister, will contest from South Tura while Conrad’s brother in law Sanjay A Sangma will be taking on Mukul Sangma’ s wife from Mahendraganj.
NPP has also fielded Ian Botham Sangma, another kin of Conrad Sangma from Salmanpara.
