Rajya Sabha polls: NPP candidate WR Kharlukhi wins from Meghalaya

Guwahati: National People's Party (NPP) candidate was emerged victorious in the Rajya Sabha polls on Friday much much fuss, even as tensions continued to simmer in neighbouring Manipur where Congress veteran Okram Ibobi Singh is pushing for a no-confidence motion against the N Biren Singh-led regime.

"Congratulations Dr. W R Kharlukhi for being elected to the Rajya Sabha from Meghalaya. I thank all the MDA partners for bestowing their support to the National People's Party", NPP chief Conrad K Sangma tweeted.

The victory of the NPP candidate was all but ascertained, and the Congress candidate Kennedy Khyriem was not given much of a chance. Sources in the MDA told us yesterday that all of the MLAs were intact and there is no reason to think of their candidate losing the election. "We have met and all are unanimous to vote for the common candidate. The Congress Legislature Party held its own meeting on Thursday night, chalking out the strategies to go with the elections", the source informed.

Polling took place in 8 states simultaneously - Gujarat (4 seats), Andhra Pradesh (4 seats), Rajasthan (3 seats), Jharkhand (2 seats), Manipur (1 seat), Meghalaya (1 seat) and Mizoram (1 seat).

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Election Commission had made special arrangements for sanitization, social distancing, etc. in view of the coronavirus outbreak. The EC had arranged separate entry and exit gates. According to reports, MLAs were allowed to enter the Assemblies after thermal screenings only.

18 of the 19 seats are part of the 55 Rajya Sabha seats which fell vacant earlier this year. Out of these 55 seats, 37 were filled uncontested.

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