Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement tussle over candidate still brewing

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: The Adelberth faction of the Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) submitted a sealed envelope to the Returning Officer (RO) of the Shillong Parliamentary seat on Wednesday. The sealed envelope was to reassure the RO about its claim that they are the genuine KHNAM besides enlisting that THS Bonney is a bonafide nominee of the party for the upcoming Parliamentary elections. President of the KHNAM (A) Adelberth Nongrum confirmed to The Sentinel that they have claimed to be the original entity of the KHNAM with the symbol of a Dao.

The Returning officer (RO) Abhishek Bhagotia told The Sentinel that he has received the sealed envelope of the KHNAM. “It will be perused carefully before we come to a decision on Thursday”, the RO said. However, the Pyndapbor Saiborne faction of the KHNAM seems optimistic that THS Bonney candidature as the party candidate will be rejected. Pyndapbor Saiborne while referring to the Meghalaya High Court order dated March 20th, 2019 said, “I hope the election officials passes the order in consonance with the court order”, adding, “If it does not goes in our favour, we’ll move the honorable High Court immediately”.

However, there are talks that THS Bonney can carry on as an Independent candidate in case the verdict is not is in his favour. Bonney’s paper was withheld on the day of scrutiny owing to objections raised by the rival faction of the party. On this, the Returning Officer refused to pass any observation even as he added that everything can be understood from the People’s Representative Act. It is worth mentioning that there is another case involving a CPI candidate Justice Kharbasanti whose nomination papers has been withheld for not declaring bank loans and the objection put forth by the banking institution itself.

Tomorrow is the last date for withdrawal and the verdict in these two cases will be passed by evening, informed Bhagotia.

Also read: Meghalaya news