Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday filed his nomination papers for the February 27 assembly elections from Songsak assembly constituency in Meghalaya, his second constituency after Ampati seat.Sangma voiced confidence that the ruling Congress will retain power with an absolute majority in Meghalaya after the assembly polls.On Tuesday, the veteran Congress legislator filed his nomination papers for Ampati seat, which he has won for five consecutive terms since 1993.In Songsak, Sangma will take on two-time National People's Party legislator Nihim D. Shira, while in Ampati, he is on a straight fight against BJP candidate Bakul Hajong.Hoping Stone Lyngdoh, who was president of the Hill State People's Democratic Party (HSPDP) till his death, had successfully contested from two Assembly seats - the erstwhile Pariong (now Mawthadraishan) and Nongstoin in the 1988 elections.
"Congress will gain seats in the coming election and would get absolute majority with 40 seats," he said addressing Congress party functionaries at Congress Bhavan here in Williamnagar.Lashing out at "Bharatiya Janata Party-National People's Party combine", the Chief Minister urged the electorate to vote for the Congress party that will "protect their interests and not interfere in their personal choices".Countering the opposition's verbal attacks against him, Sangma said, "Development has taken place in the state while the opposition has said that I was sleeping. We have brought peace to the state through our efforts even as they continue to believe I was sleeping. If we could achieve so much while I was sleeping, think of what we can achieve when I am awake."