Political parties gear up for D-Day in Meghalaya

Newmai News Network SHILLONG | January 18   With Meghalaya all set to go for polls on February 27 next as declared by the Election Commission of India on Thursday, political parties in the state are geared up to intensify their campaign while voters are more than happy to welcome the day where the decision to choose development or root out corruption lies on their fingertips.   Meghalaya will go to polls in February 27 along with Nagaland and the counting will be held in March 03. The Assembly terms of Meghalaya end on March 6, 2018 and the strength of the House is 60 members. The Meghalaya Assembly is currently led by the Congress, which won 29 seats in the previous election. The election in Meghalaya is significant for the Congress party, as it is one of the few states in the country where the Grand Old party is still in power.   Soon after the election dates were declared on Thursday, many political parties were in a sudden rush to complete the pending tasks like the BJP who stated that the list of their candidates will be out in a day or two.   BJP Spokesperson, JA Lyngdoh said, “We are happy that the election dates are declared and we are prepared.”   Speaking about the BJP list of candidates, Lyngdoh said that the party was awaiting the announcement of the polling dates and now that it is out, the party will declare its list of candidate in a day or two.   The state president of the National People’s Party (NPP), WR Kharlukhi too expressed similar sentiments on the declaration of the poll dates and said that the NPP is prepared for the polls and is ready to win.   The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) General Secretary, SP Thapa also stated that they are ready for the polls and will be done announcing all their candidates soon.   Meanwhile, the electorate on the other hand is ever happy with the announcement of the poll dates and is keen to exercise their right to franchise.   “The time has come to exercise our right to franchise and choose the best,” said Barry Kharmujai.   “I have been voting for the past four decades and I do see changes in Meghalaya, however there is always room for more development,” said a fifty eight year old tea seller known as Ram babu at Bivar road.   However, few like Gautam Dey were not too happy with the dates and he said, “The dates should have been announced earlier as the children have exams and the parents are worried.”