Miani Dalbot Shira Congress candidate from Ampati seat

Shillong, May 5: The Congress high command on Saturday cleared the name of former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s daughter Miani Dalbot Shira for the Ampati by-poll.

‘’Congress president Rahul Gandhi has approved the candidature of Miani Dalbot Shira for the upcoming by-election of the 53 Ampati ST constituency,” AICC general secretary Mukul Wasnik said in a statement.

The by-poll was called for after Dr Sangma vacated the Ampati seat, which was held by him since 1993.

The senior Congress leader, who contested from both the Songsak and the Ampati constituencies in the Assembly polls, emerged victorious from both the seats.

However, Dr Sangma preferred to retain the Songsak seat, which was previously held by National People’s Party’s (NPP) Nihim D Shira. On Friday, the NPP cleared the name of Clement G Momin.

Momin had contested against Dr Sangma on two previous occasions, in 2008 and 2013.

Meanwhile, BJP may again field its candidate Bakul Chandra Hajong. Hajong, a retired sericulture director, lost to Dr Sangma in the Assembly polls held on February 27. The by-election to the Ampati seat will be held on May 28.