Lok Sabha polls in Meghalaya: All you need to know about Shillong, Tura seats

A total of 17.68 lakh people in Meghalaya will be eligible to cast their votes today as the state goes to the poll under phase 1 of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Currently, the Congress and the National People's Party (NPP) share one parliamentary seat each in the state. The current Lok Sabha MP from Shillong is Congress's Vincent Pala, who will be taking on Sanbor Shullai of the BJP in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Traditionally, Shillong has been a safe bet for the Congress party, but considering the BJP's recent success in the Northeast, there would be no surprises if the tables turn.

Despite angst over its stance on the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the BJP is confident of putting up a good fight.

There are a total of six candidates who will be contesting elections from Shillong. Vincent Pala has will fight on a Congress ticket against the BJP's Sanbor Shullai and United Democratic Party's Jemino Mawthoh. Three independent candidates are also fighting from the Shillong seat.

Pala, a former Union minister and two-time MP, said he is confident of retaining his post as MP, saying that he has "done enough" for Shillong constituency over the past decade.

He said several promises made by the Congress, including the minimum income guarantee scheme and national rural employment guarantee, will be implemented if Congress comes to power.

Pala has also said the Congress would ensure that the controversial Citizenship Bill is not implemented adding that the only way to junking the legislation was by ensuring there is "no BJP".

The fight for Tura

The Tura parliamentary constituency seat was held by NPP's Conrad Sangma before he quit Parliament in 2018 to assume the post of chief minister.

In Tura, only three candidates are contesting the Lok Sabha election. The NPP, which is in power in the state, has fielded former MP Agatha Sangma from the seat against Congress heavyweight and former chief minister Mukul Sangma.

Traditionally, Tura has been a Sangma stronghold, dominated by 11-time MP Purno Sangma. His son Conrad Sangma and daughter Agatha Sangma have gone on to represent the constituency as well.

The Congress, even with Mukul Sangma, faces a tough challenge against Agatha Sangma, who will be seeking to retain the seat. BJP has gone with state vice-president Rikman G Momin.

Tura comprises 24 assembly segments and there are over five lakh voters in the region.

Voting for 91 of the 543 Lok Sabha parliamentary constituencies across 20 states and UTs will be held on April 11.

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