By-polls in Meghalaya, Karnataka likely to be held simultaneously

A Correspondent

Shillong, July 22: By-polls to the two Assembly seats in Meghalaya may be held simultaneously with the vacant seats in Karnataka. According to sources the Election Commission of India in all probability will announce the same date for the by-polls in Meghalaya as well as Karnataka.

It may be pointed out that in the Meghalaya Assembly two seats are vacant - Ranikor and South Tura constituency - after former Congress leader Martin M Danggo and Agatha K Sangma quit their respective seats.

Danggo quit his Ranikor seat as well as from the primary membership of the Congress and will contest from the National People’s Party (NPP) while Agatha resigned from the South Tura seat to pave way for her brother and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.

Conrad, who is still an MP of the Lok Sabha from Tura Parliamentary constituency, has to become an MLA in order to continue as Chief Minister of the state.

Meghalaya Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) FR Kharkongor said that there is a possibility that the Election Commission may conduct the bye elections at the same time in Meghalaya and Karnataka.

“We are prepared to conduct the by-polls anytime, and we expect that the Commission would announce the schedule soon. We also expect that both Ranikor and South Tura will go to the bye elections together on the same date,” Kharkongor said.