Shillong, March 25 (PTI): The BJP, an ally of the NPP- led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government in Meghalaya, has named party's state unit vice president Rikman G Momin as its candidate for Tura parliamentary constituency.
On Saturday, the party had announced three-time MLA Sanbor Shullai as its nominee from Shillong Lok Sabha seat.
The announcement, however, did not come across as a shocker to its allies in the MDA government as the party's state unit president, Shibun Lyngdoh, had clarified on an earlier occasion that the BJP, being a national party, will go by the decision of the central election committee.
"The BJP is a national party and it depends on the central election committee whether the party would field any candidate in the seats available," Shibun told PTI.
The ruling coalition, barring the BJP, is fielding UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh from the Shillong seat, while NPP's Agatha Sangma is a common candidate from the Tura seat.
Momin is expected to submit his papers Monday, which is also the last date of filing nominations.
Elections to the two parliamentary seats in Meghalaya and a by-poll to Selsella assembly constituency have been scheduled for April 11.
The by-election was necessitated following the death of Congress MLA Clement Marak last year. His wife June Eliana R Marak is likely to file her nomination from the seat on a Congress ticket Monday.
The NPP has fielded Ferlin CA Sangma from Selsella, while the UDP named S Nongrum from the seat.
Mukul Sangma files nomination for Tura Lok Sabha seat
Former chief minister and senior Congress leader Mukul Sangma Monday filed his papers for the Tura Lok Sabha seat on Monday, the last date for filing of nomination, officials said.
Mukul Sangma is at present the Leader of Opposition in the Meghalaya Assembly.
Meghalaya has two Lok Sabha seats - Shillong and Tura.
Election to both the Lok Sabha seats and also the by-election to the Selsella Assembly constituency will be held on April 11.
BJP candidates - MLA Sanbor Shullai and party state vice president Rikman G Momin filed their nominations for the Shillong and Tura Lok Sabha seat respectively on Monday.
Tura seat will witness a triangular fight between the ruling National People's Party candidate Agatha K Sangma, Congress Leader Mukul Sangma and BJP candidate Rikman.
Agatha is the common candidate supported by the regional parties who are supporting the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government in the state.
Sitting Congress MP from Shillong seat, Vincent H Pala, will face a common candidate set up by the MDA Jemino Mawthoh, BJP candidate Sanbor Shullai and five others.
United Democratic Party candidate Sayeedullah Nongrum, Congress nominee J E R Marak and NPP candidate Ferlin CA Sangma have filed their nominations for the byelection to the Selsella Assembly constituency, officials said.
