Veteran Congress leader and former chief minister of Meghalaya, Mukul M. Sangma, is hoping to be third-time lucky in his attempt to become a parliamentarian from Tura Lok Sabha seat in West Garo Hills district.

He filed his nomination papers on Monday, the last date of filing nominations for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held on April 11. Single-phase polls will be held in the state’s two Lok Sabha constituencies on that day.

The former chief minister will be locking horns with former Union minister Agatha K. Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP) and Rikman G. Momin of the BJP.

This will be Mukul’s third parliamentary election. The first was in 2004 when he contested against former Lok Sabha Speaker (late) Purno Agitok Sangma. Two years later, Mukul again contested against Sangma in a bypoll. However, on both occasions, Mukul, who contested as a Congress candidate, was defeated.

Mukul, who is currently leader of the Opposition after being chief minister for eight years, was accompanied by Congress leaders and party workers to the deputy commissioner’s office for filing nomination papers.

A section of leaders and workers of other parties are joining the Congress in the Garo hills to support Mukul in his bid to become the new MP of Tura.

Mukul is a six-time legislator. Last year in the Assembly bypoll, he won from Ampati and Songsak constituencies. He later gave up the Ampati seat in favour of his eldest daughter Miani D. Shira.

Altogether eight candidates filed their nominations from Shillong Lok Sabha constituency, with BJP nominee, Sanbor Shullai and CPI candidate, Justice Kharbasanti and Independent candidate, Romeo Phira Rani submitted their nominations on Monday, the last day for filing of nomination papers.

Nominations filed: Congress candidate, Vincent H. Pala and his substitute candidate Kennedy Cornelius Khyriem, and United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate, Jemino Mawthoh, Khun Hynñiewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) nominee, T.H.S. Bonney and Independent candidate Samuel Hashah had filed their nominations last week.

Shillong BJP candidate Sanbor Shullai told reporters on Monday: “It is the characteristic for parties to criticise the BJP, but finally they are bhai bhai (friends) with the BJP. They are still working with us and they know they cannot divorce the BJP because without the BJP, there will be lots of financial problems.”

Selsella bypoll: For the Selsella Assembly byelection, Congress’s June Eliana R. Marak and BJP’s Adorsho Sangma filed their nominations on Monday. The bypoll will be held on April 11. NPP’s Ferlin C.A. Sangma and UDP’s Sayeedullah Nongrum had filed their nomination papers last week.