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Tura: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma speaks to his supporters after winning south Tura Assembly bypoll, in Tura on Monday, Aug 27, 2018. (PTI Photo) [/caption]
Tura, Aug. 27 (IANS): Meghalaya Chief Minister and National People’s Party (NPP) candidate Conrad Sangma on Monday won the by-election from the South Tura Assembly constituency by a huge margin.
But former Speaker Martin Danggo, who resigned from the Congress and joined the NPP, lost to Pius Marwein of the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Ranikor constituency. The by-election in South Tura was necessitated after Agatha Sangma resigned to pave the way for her brother Conrad to contest in order to retain the post of Chief Minister.
Conrad, the youngest son of the late Purno A. Sangma, defeated Charlotte W. Momin of the Congress by 8,421 votes in a four-cornered contest. The NPP candidate secured 13,656 votes while Charlotte got 5,235 votes.
Conrad, who was sworn as the 12th Chief Minister of Meghalaya on March 6, was a non-elected member of the 60-member Assembly. Conrad assumed the top post of Meghalaya, which his father had held for a short period, after the regional United Democratic Party (UDP), People's Democratic Front and the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) decided to support the NPP in forming the government on condition that an NPP leader would be the Chief Minister.
Rio lauds ‘stunning victory’
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has congratulated Sangma on his winning the by-election “with an impressive winning margin” of 8421 votes.
“Your stunning victory is proof of the people's belief in your leadership and I wish you all success as you steer the state of Meghalaya to greater development and prosperity. I look forward to working together with you in common issues that concern our respective states in particular and the north-eastern region in general,” Rio said in a statement that was issued on Monday.